Francis Tayor
A foremost ljaw Nationalist and President Prime Club lnternational Ayakoromo, Dr. Sabaikumo Ahmed has commended the President ljaw National Congress, INC, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba on his frantic efforts in the pursuit for Toru-Ebe State creation, saying ljaw nation must be diplomatic and united to speak in one voice in order to actualize the dream.
Sabaikumo made the commendation on Monday July 21, in an open letter addressed to lNC National President, critical stakeholders, leaders and National Assembly members from Delta State noted that ljaw nation must synergize energy towards the creation of Toru-Ebe State because that State is the basis of hope, survival and destiny as a people in the western flank of the ljaw nation.
He cautioned against any misunderstanding in the agitation of local government headquarters location issues by some ljaw kingdoms, adding that collective interest of ljaw nation should be projected at this challenging time rather than personal gains.
Read below full details of the historical letter:
Burutu Local Government Area,
Delta State,
July 21st, 2025.
The National President,
Ijaw National Congress,
Ijaw House, National Secretariat,
Sani Abacha Way,
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
My dear President,
RE: PROPOSED TORU-EBE STATE: LATE E.K CLARK COMMUNITY KIAGBODO DECRY NON-RECOGNITION AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUAETERS, MAKES A PLEA TO TINUBU, DIRI, INC, OTHERS
SUBTLE INFORMATION
“AYAKOROMO AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA HEADQUARTERS: A CONCLUDED ISSUE”
It is my honour and privilege to commend you and state that your leadership and charisma is guiding the Ijaw nation through these challenging times of our history. Your vision, service and dedication shall forever remain in our memories. History is about to repeat itself. The first homogenous state for the Ijaws (Bayelsa) was created during the tenure of Chief J.B Fumudoh as President of the Ijaw National Congress from Western Zone. The diplomacy and consensus voice of the Ijaws across Western and Eastern Ijaws earned us that victory. Today, you are in the same seat to reshape the destines of the Ijaw nation in the map of Nigerian State. You are a great leader and God will continue to vindicate, protect and reward you.
Mr. President, I am writing you this open letter with respect to the above matter which is trending on the social media. I could have ignored the message based on the facts that the press release has no well define purpose of stating the desired fact and persuasion. Infact, the compliant was faceless without address and signature except his or her phone contact. These acts nullify such letters in conventional practice. I am replying because of the caliber of honourable individuals copied in the said press release. The whole thrust of this missive to keep the records straight before the general public is deformed or misinformed. Perhaps, the writer may be totally unaware of the issues raised had to do with Ngbilebiri ancestral home and the premise on which the publication was made was based on a previous release which named Ayakoromo as the only community named as Local Government Headquarters among Ngbilebiri Kingdom communities in Toru – Ebe State.
I am very sure, no enlightened group in Kiagbodo or Kiagbodo as a community would indulge in such anti-social and untimely venture. The said press release predicated its argument that Kiagbodo should be a Local Council headquarters based on the fact that (1) Kiagbodo is the ancestral headquarters of Ngbilebiri – Mein Kingdom (2) That, late Chief E.K. Clark, who was a champion of Ijaw right and struggle is from Kiagbodo and should be merit a local government headquarter (3) Historical significance (4) Strategic location
As far as I am concerned, the document submitted to the National Assembly before me by the Toru – Ebe State creation committee and the Ijaw National Congress does not reflect what is being paraded in the social media. It was based on unfounded public rumors. Therefore, I feel it is incumbent on me to inform the unsuspecting general public and the distinguished personalities copied.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE DREAM OF AYAKOROM AS LGA HEADQUARTERS
It was in the late 1987, when there was heavy agitation by the Delta province and the Anioma people who mobilished for the creation of Delta State. In that very year, a sub-secretariat of Burutu Local Government Area has already being built in Ayakoromo. The leaders of Ayakoromo including chief T.O. Onduku, Hon J.O. Eyenanaotu and Chief J.K. Seisingha pulled energy and prepare a memorandum to then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida seeking for the creation of Ayakoromo Local Government Area from Burutu Local Government Area. The dream failed as no new Local Government Area was created out of Burutu Local Government Area in 1991 when Delta State was eventually created out of Bendel State.
Again, in early 1996, there were fresh agitations for state creation under General Sani Abacha as head of state. Ayakoromo community leaders met with other community drawn up for the same dream. The support was unanimous and the memorandum was prepared and given to all except leaders of communities for endorsement all about 40 communities countersigned, information filtered in that Kiagbodo community declined from countersigning the document. It was confirmed that, Chief Edwin Clark has rejected the name Ayakoromo as both the Local Government Council and the headquarters. It was at that point, a meeting of stakeholders was convened at Warri at No. 5 Swamp Road, Ogbe-Ijoh, G.R.A, Warri.
All communities and stakeholders were invited and the proposed request for Ayakoromo Local Government Area was presented. However, the meeting was convened at the instance of Ijaw National Congress, Western Zone, Toru-Ebe State creation committee and the Ijaw Cultural Association, Benin-City to mobilize in order to put up a rejoinder for the gang - up protest by Benin – Ibibio – Ilaje – Itsekiri against the demand for the creation of Toru – Ebe state, to resolved the flashpoints of conflict among Ijaw was communities over Local government council headquarters was also presented. Chief J.O. Oyakemeagbegha, Rev. (Prof.) C.A. Dime AND High Chief F.J. Williams, Chief (Dr.) Alfred M. Bubor (JP) AHNR were instituted as members of the tripartite Totu – Ebe state creation movement by the Ijaw National Congress (INC) through the INC Western Zone.
It was at that venue, the complaints from Ayakoromo Local Government Area was tabled. The delegates from Kiagbodo argued that they reject Ayakoromo as the headquarters on grounds of (1) Ayakoromo is under Kiagbodo as in Ngbilebiri – Mein Kingdom (2) The name Ayakoromo as the name of new Local Government Area is not in their comfort.
The delegates from Ogbolubiri – Mein Kingdom including about seven communities averred, they were neither against the name of Ayakormo as both the Local Government Area and as headquarters. They strongly recommend Ayakoromo as their preferred Local Government Area, advancing several reasons for their decision. They based their argument that Burutu is not an ancestral home but been a headquarters with many Kingdoms for administrative convenence. They asserted that their ultimate dream is the local government council to be created, further raising credibility to Ayakoromo as the most – suited headquarters.
Ayakoromo main town and its vast communities of over 20 expressed their desire in the same page with their Ogbolubiri – Mein brothers. The conciliators (Ijaw National Congress and Ijaw Cultural Association, Benin), after a cocktail of questions and appraisal, came to a conclusion and ruled, that Ayakoromo shall remain the Local Government Area headquarters but the name, Ayakoromo or Mein can be used as the name of the Local Government council giving series of rational grounds for their verdict.
All communities in Ngbilebiri – Mein Kingdom and Ogbolubiri – Mein Kingdom accepted the decision except Kiagbodo delegates who excused that they needed to consult their constituents and report back. They never reverted. Later hearsay had it our Kiagbodo brothers are proposing Ngbilebiri Local Government Council with Kiagbodo as headquarters. The component communities of the proposed Ngbilebiri LGA were Kiagbodo and Bikorogha. The proposed Ngbilebiri Local Government was never presented anywhere by pressure groups in government forums.
Ayakoromo or Mein Local Government Area was proposed by all Ijaw bodies include the Chief Arthur Mbanefo committee on the creation of states, L.G.As and Boundary Adjustment of 1996, Memorandum submitted to the National Political Reform Conference of 2005, Memorandum submitted to the National Assembly dated 12th July, 2013, Memorandum submitted to the 2014 Nigerians National Conference dated 7th April, 2014 requesting for the creation of Toru – Ebe state from the present Delta, Edo and Ondo states.
THE COMPOSITION OF AYAKOROMO/MEIN LOCAL AREA
It was the desire of the people to create a Local government consisting of about 50 towns and villages from existing three wards in Burutu Local Government Area.
The wards are:-
Burutu L.G.A ward 6 Ngbilebiri – Mein I
Burutu L.G.A ward 7 Ngbilebiri – Mein II
Burutu L.G.A ward 8 Ogbolubiri – Mein
As demanded, the above three wards are to be subdivided into twelve (12) wards to make governance closer to the communities. The proposed comprehensive list in page 3 of appendix attached herein in accordance with the voting strength of the towns and villages.
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE CHOICE OF AYAKOROMO TOWN AS HEADQUARTERS OF THE PROPOSED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
The arbitration advanced the reasons for their choice of Ayakoromo as the headquarters:
CENTRAL AND STRATEGIC LOCATION
The choice of Ayakoromo became inevitable because of its central location among communities in the area. It strategically lies on the Forcados River which remains the main trade route among the Ijaws in the Western Delta from prehistoric time, as such all communities have unfettered access to it without passing through other Local Government Areas.
In the memorandum submitted to the Chairman, States creation, Local Government and Boundary Adjustment Committee, Abuja, (attached below), a certified true copy of the map from the Delta State Surveyor – General showing the proposed Mein Local Government Area with headquarters at Ayakoromo displays the centrality and distribution of communities, wards. See attached appendix I attached below for details.
CONSISTENCY AS ADMINISTRATIVE SUB-HEADQUARTERS IN BURUTU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Ayakoromo instituted as administrative headquarters of the Ngbilebiri – Mein Clan District Authority by the Burutu Local Government Area based on its central geographic setting on 16th November, 1980. In 13th November 1987, two development centre (Sub – Local Government headquarters) were created to each of the 19 LGAs of defunct Bendel State. In Burutu LGA, Ayakoromo was one of them. See appendix 2 for the gazette EC. 39(87) 7. As signed by permanent secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Benin – City Mr. L.O. Umunna, the policy was to relieve employees and government the cost of governance and administrative conveniences. Same staff were redeployed to the Sub-headquarters by 10th December, 1987. Based on the aforementioned development, the defunct Bendel State under council constructed a Area Development office in Ayakoromo in 1991 which is still in Ayakoromo. See appendix 3 for the award of the contract. As a result of the above developments, Ayakoromo automatically became a Sub – Local headquarters of Burutu North constituency.
It is worth mentioning that because of Ayakoromo strategic location, the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) sited Ayakoromo collating centre to facilitate the easy processing of election results in Burutu ward 6 and 7 which now constitute the Local Government Area under proposal.
(b) EXTENSIVE JUDICIAL JURISDICTION BEYOND BURUTU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
In 1984, a warrant was issued by the state government, establishing the Ayakoromo District Customary Court by the Military Governor Brigadier – General Jeremiah Useni in consultation with the State Judicial Committee. The area of jurisdiction covered almost the whole of Burutu North constituency; the clans of Isaba, Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Diebiri in present day Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State as spelt out clearly in the warrant (see appendix 4 for verification).
POPULATION
Undoubtedly, Ayakoromo remains largest in population not only in Burutu North Constituency, it is one of the most highly populated in Ijaw land.
By the 1991 National Population Census, Ayakoromo main Town and her satellite towns and villages (over 25) had a total population of twenty – nine thousand five hundred and thirteen (29,513) head count. That amounted to 74% of the population of the proposed LGA. (Including Oyangbene and Akpaemogbene which are now autonomous). All other communities including Kiagbodo, Bikorogha, Okrika, Ogbeingbene, Gbekebor, Egodor, Agbodobiri and their sub – villages constitute twenty five thousand four hundred and seventy – seven (25,477) which became 26% of the population in the proposed local government. (see page 2 of the 1996 memorandum for details of the 1991 population census) where all stakeholders and leaders (30) of the various communities endorsed the memorandum.
AYAKOROMO AS HEADQUARTERS! FURTHER RATIONALIZATION
Any discerning mind would definitely understand the reasons behind Ayakoromo as the harmonized decision after juxtaposing the facts above.
Further clarification demands that an ancestral home is never a criteria for creation LGA headquarters or state capital as defined by the peace tripartite committee. The tripartite interventionist committee indeed averred; Ile-Ife and Ondo are ancestral towns but have never became state capitals till this day. They are accorded the royalty & historical honour they deserve, nothing more
The argument by the so- called unidentified publisher that chief (Dr.) Edwin Clark was a pillar of defender for the Ijaw people and it would be unfair to exclude Kiagbodo where he comes from does not hold even a handful of water. Chief (Senator) Edwin Clark (CON, OFR) had a celebrated life He was an Ijaw national leader, a pan – Niger Delta bulldozer and a Nigerian who merit a national monument to be named after him. Chief (Pa.) E. K. Clark was not a local or community champion as being portrayed by the writer. It is worth – mentioning that after the truce and resolution in Warri, Chief Clark, a listening father and leader never raised any protest against Ayakoromo, in all presentations of the local government area to statutory national bodies until his death. Why the protest now? The legacy of Chief (Dr.) E.K. Clark goes far beyond Kiagbodo
Chief Edwin Clark love for Ayakoromo was so elated that after his victory to the Senatorial seat in Bendel South Constituency, he mustered courage to build a personal house in Ayakoromo. I personally saw the site with building materials and concrete blocks but for his short lived tenure in the senate. It would be lovely to mention that the collectivity of Ayakoromo stood by him day and night campaigning through all nooks and crannies of the Delta. Why the intentional act to raze down the ancestral bloodline we have shared over the ages for cheap self – serving ends?
A WORD OF CAUTION AND CONCLUSION
It behoves on us to call this unknown personality to order because he or she is sowing the seed of discord which he is unaware of the intended consequences. Let him be reminded that Ogbolubiri – Mein Kingdom with her ancestral ancient headquarters as Agbodobiri is qualified in the same vein to vie for the same position as Kiagbodo were ancestral home is a criterion for political headquarters in Nigeria. The proposed LGA is for Mein Kingdoms of Ngbelibiri and Ogbolubiri.
We all must synergize energy towards the creation of Toru – Ebe State because that state is the basis of our hope, survival and destiny as a people in the Western flank of the Ijaw nation. As such, every misunderstanding should be submerged at the altar for the commonwealth.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe the founding President Nigeria and pioneer premier of Eastern Nigeria region and leader of the Igbos was born in Nnewi. Nnewi till today is not a state capital because of the statesmanship of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a colossus hero and leader of the Yorubas. He was born in Ikenne in Ogun state, Ikenne is today yet to be a state capital. National monuments have been named after the above icons which have nothing to do with state or LGA capitals.
Hon. (Dr.) Braduce Angozi is from Ayakoromo Town. He fought to ensure that a Technical College be built in Kiagbodo which is on-going. The tie of ancestral bloodhood should be strengthened for the benefit of posterity. Together, we can build a virile and famous Kingdom. Such a father has lost his fatherhood. A word is enough for the wise. I just hope that the unidentified culprit involved would summon courage and withdraw the ill-fated post as soon as possible.
Mr. President Sir, we will continue to pray that your reign would become one of the merriest in the history of the Ijaw nation. The patient dog eats the fatest bone. Let our states come. This is another actualization of Willinks Commission recommendations in another form.
May God guide the Ijaw nation.
Long live Ijaw National Congress.
Saibakumo, Ahmed Eniyeketon
Is an Ijaw Nationalist and President Prime Club International, Ayakoromo
Good one. More Grace..
ReplyDelete