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Why We Withdrew From Peace Accord With Itsekiri - Ijaw

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
July 14, 2004
Posted to the web July 14, 2004

By Osaro Okhomina
Warri
Ijaw of the three Warri Local Government Areas of Delta State yesterday
explained that their withdrawal from the peace accord signed with the Itsekiri
ethnic group was based on the conviction that the state government in an
attempt to avoid the accommodation of Ijaw demands for ward delineation and
creation of separate local government councils wanted to force peace down on
the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups.
According to the Ijaw, the state government's refusal to allow the two ethnic
groups discuss the contentious issues on legitimate voters' registration, ward
delineation and creation of separate local government councils led to the
breakdown of the peace accord.
In a position paper issued yesterday by the Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group
(WIPMG), and signed by Apostle Clement Tonfawei, Chief Ayebi Anthony and
Apostle Monday Toruosei, the Ijaw warned against continued attempt by the state
government to threaten and intimidate the leaders that withdrew from the accord
and those opposed to it, saying it is unethical and an insult on the Ijaw
people.
"We, in its entirety, put our weight behind the bold and steps taken by the
leaders of the Ijaw delegation to withdraw their support and signature to the
purported peace accord signed recently by the Ijaw and Itsekiri leaders on the
Warri crisis. As we know that the only panacea to peace in Warri is legitimate
voters' registration exercise after an equitable and legitimate ward
delineation to reflect the 1991 operational census figure projection that put
the Ijaws in the majority.
"That is why the three Ijaw leaders of the peace delegation who withdrew their
support and signature agreed that the solution to the Warri crisis is in the
hand of the state government and that no group or organizations should have
anything to do with those individuals that are trying to force peace on Warri."
On the riot act by the state government to Ijaw leaders opposed to the accord,
they warned that in the interest of maintaining the existing peace, the state
government should desist from further threats.
"We are calling on the public and government to disregard the statement
credited to the Commissioner that the three Ijaw leaders withdrew under
duress."

   

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