Marginalisation: Ijaw call for creation of Toru-Ibe State
on SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 · in NEWS

By Victor Ahiuma-young

Ijaw in Delta State have demanded for the creation of Toru-Ibe State with capital in Burutu city to save them from further socio-economic and political marginalisation.

Labour Party candidate for Warri North in Delta State House of Assembly in the April 26 polls, Mr. Adanse Felix, in a statement, appealed to the National Assembly and President Goodluck Jonathan to address the concerns of the Ijaw.

He said: “The call became necessary because of the deliberate marginalisation and oppression of the Ijaw in Delta State, particularly the Egbema and Gbaramatu Ijaw kingdoms in Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas.

“The Ijaw in these areas are treated like third-class citizens in their respective councils. They are not allowed to be voted for by the imperialists who claimed big brothers’ role. Although we can vote for the ‘big-brothers’ to represent the areas in elections, but we are not allowed to be voted for in any capacity to represent the same areas.

“A situation where a certain ethnic group is marginalised, oppressed, deliberately and maliciously schemed out of political governance by a particular system by an orchestrated cabal can only be described as blood-sucking and barbaric.

“Also, the Ijaw communities where the bulk of the oil and gas are coming from, which sustain Delta and other states, have no single developmental projects either from the states or the Federal Government.

“Hence, I lend my voice for the creation of our long-awaited Toru-Ibe State, so that the Ijaw can have a voice of their own and to encourage development. This state is long overdue. If created, it will reduce all forms of tensions and inter-tribal wars between us and our neighbours.

“I am making this call to authorities concerned to put the necessary machinery in place to see that our long dream state is created.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/09/marginalisation-ijaw-call-for-creation-of-toru-ibe-state/

Let them save future marginalization by creating Toru-Ibe, Urhobo (suggested by beaf), and itsekiri states. If those are not enough, they should create a state for each family.

I thought Bayelsa state was created as a state for Ijaws. Why were these communities not incorporated?

Left to me, this is another reason why we need that Sovereign National Conference. I can assure you that these are not the only marginalised people. Is it Kogi, with minority groups complaining about the dominance of the Igala, or Benue with the Tiv, or Borno with the Kanuri? There are inherent inequities contained in the current structure we have inherited from the military. Call the SNC and let us all talk about how to properly constitute this country.

How do you try so boldly to create a state stretching from Ondo all the way to Akwa-Ibom? . . . That is a clear and obvious move to grab the shores and control the oil as well. What a way for the Ijaws to try and get a state, elect their own for governor and discriminately push the other groups out of the land so that they will be set for their Ijaw Republic come 2015,lol. Funny people. They of all groups should be praying against secession because it is now clear that the Binis-Ilaje(Yorubas)-Ibibios-Itsekiris and even the Ogonis are going to team up and push them into the sea. Na wa for them. And another thing, they have the Igbo to worry about because Opobo and Bonny are hotspots and dont belong to them(Ijaws). I'm glad Amaechi has pushed them out of PH and so have regular Igbo citizens through wealth. Abandon Property days are over.

If your area is not developed to a particular point, why can't you put something into it. Must the oil money come before you start developing? If there was no oil then what will they do? They are the only group in Delta State that doesn't know how to go out and bring something in to develop their land. Laziness!

I have nothing against the Ijaw but they cannot continue to keep trying to strong arm people out of their land. That aint cool.

Marginalization! They shout. Yet they actively initiate skirmishes with their peaceful neighbors, engaging in battle on all fronts. Toru-Ibe! They advocate, swearing on the rafts of their forefathers that they will claim the lands of others; lands which even those same forefathers' forefathers never saw. All hail Ijo, for they have shown that even after only 50 years of residence in others' territories, one can still claim "ethnic ownership", and all it takes is to just make noise and cause trouble.

Ijo o mielamam. Tamuno o kari ibima.

Have they been sniffing crack?

I laugh at these people at times. So, the WHOLE Itsekiri land is included in Toru-Ibe, no to talk of Edo, Ilaje and Ibibio?? Hahaha!!!
It is a KNOWN FACT that Itsekiris produce about 65% of Oil in Delta, Ilajes produce 10%, a total of 75% while Ijaws produce 25%. So where did they get all their claims from Must any Oil producing Land be called Ijaw land
NO TO NIGER-DELTA REPUBLIC!!!

It's only myopic people that will still be shouting ND republic. A republic where marginalisation and genocide, will be the order of the day!!!