Group seeks Tinubu’s intervention over marginalisation, exclusion of Itsekiri

Nigerian Human Rights Community (NIHRCO), yesterday, drew the attention of President Bola Tinubu on the need to include Itsekiri nation in his cabinet, saying the marginalisation against them since independence is enough.

The group, which is a coalition of 121 civil society and community-based groups across Nigeria, spoke in Lagos at a press briefing tagged, “The political and economic situation in Nigeria as it affects Itsekiri people of the Niger Delta.”

Specifically, the son of Nigeria’s first Finance Minister and immediate past Regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, urged Tinubu to demonstrate his passion for justice by listening to their demands.

Okotie-Eboh said it was time well-meaning Nigerians deployed all possible political machinery to assist the Itsekiri, especially to be appointed in parastatals that could be deployed for the development of Itsekiri and Ilaje land as a whole.

According to him, there has been an obvious exclusion of Itsekiri from ministerial appointments by the Federal Government since 1999. According to Okotie-Eboh, even though each state in Nigeria is expected to produce at least one minister, Itsekiri has been continuously denied the opportunity.

He said: “46 ministers have been appointed by the current Tinubu administration. Not a single person is Itsekiri. 20 advisers have been appointed, not a single person is from that ethnic bloc.

“It is alarming, embarrassing and humiliating to discover that no Itsekiri person was fortunate to make the ministerial list, special adviser and assistants to the President.

“Though membership and positions in boards and parastatals are yet to be constituted, from what we have seen, the marginalisation of Itsekiri is a historical pattern that will once again follow.”

He also lamented denial of top positions in oil companies, while stressing that Itsekiri are some of the most educated people in Nigeria.  He also pointed out the exclusion of Itsekiri in strategic positions in oil refineries, even though, according to him, one of the refineries is located on Itsekiri land.

On his part, an Agbekoya chieftain, Are Kunle Oshodi, urged the President to ensure a government of national unity by carrying everyone along.