Itsekiri/Ijaw clash brewing as leaders spar over AGF’s memo on Nigerian Maritime University

The recent memo by Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, that the name of the location of the proposed Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) is Okerenghigho and not Okerenkoko seems to have worsened the debate, tearing Niger Delta leaders more apart.

The AGF and Minister of Justice, Malami, had made the clarification in the memo he sent to the National Assembly.

The memo rather than rest the warring issue of the name of the correct location for the university, had instead continued to generate worrisome reactions.

While apex Itsekiri youth body inaugurated by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Itsekiri National Youth Congress (INYC), and Itsekiri youth leader, Mr. Alex Eyengho, maintained that the AGF was right, the spokesman of the Gbaramatu Council of Chiefs, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, and Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI), argued that the AGF was wrong.

In a statement released by Mr. Eyengho, he said, “Honestly, I do not see the reason for the hullaballoo trailing the advice to the National Assembly, NASS, by the AGF. As the chief law officer of Nigeria, he (Malami) did the right thing expected of him under existing laws of our land. He advised the National Assembly, and rightly so too, based on a valid exiting Supreme Court judgment.

“Malami simply did not want the lawmakers to progress in error by passing a law that will ultimately become subject of endless litigations. The Supreme Court judgment the AGF quoted in his memo to the NASS is clear and unambiguous even to the most stupid person on earth.

“He only drew the attention of NASS to the existing position of the law regarding the issue at hand. I am sure the NASS will do well to work with his advice to deepen the law and order this administration preaches. So I do not see any reason for anyone to beat war drums, neither do I see any justification for a renewed crisis between the Ijaw and Itsekiri on this matter. The bottom-line is that the Maritime University remains in its present location and the manifest fact that the occupants of the location are Ijaws of Gbaramatu in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The benefits of having that university in the area will come to Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo and other Deltans and indeed Nigerians. Any crisis or war between the Ijaw and Itsekiri over this matter is simply a fratricidal war that will only spell doom for both parties, Delta State and Nigeria.

In the same vein, INYC in a statement by its President Esimaje Awani and Secretary, Humphrey Tuoyo, said that “a people cannot be advocating for a university and at the same time presenting themselves to the world as a people who have strong intolerance for the judgment of the highest court of law. It is a shame to describe the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction as inconsequential and should, therefore, be discountenanced.”

INYC therefore urged members of the civil society, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the international community not to keep silent on the issue, saying that “it is almost becoming a routine for the Ijaw in this region to blackmail the Federal Government into sacrificing the rule of law on the altar of necessity for oil exploration.

Also kicking against the AGF’s memo, IPDI, in a statement by Ozobo Austin and Ezekiel Daniel, its president and spokesperson said, “It is pertinent to note that Okerenkoko is the original name of where the Nigerian Maritime University is sited. You cannot give a name that does not belong to us and you expect us to accept it. That is a capital no, because we are not known by Okerenghigho but Okerenkoko and for the purpose of records, Okerenkoko is not being disputed in any legal tussle.

“Okerenkoko and Okerenghigho are not the same name and OKerenkoko is not a corrupted name of Okerenghigho, the whole world should note. We wish to state unequivocally and reiterate that Okerenkoko is the original name of where the Nigerian Maritime University is located. There was no time Okerenkoko was called Okerenghigho. No community in Gbaramatu Kingdom is referred to as Okerenghigho.

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“Okerenkoko is made up of Ijaw only. It is unfortunate that deliberate attempts are being made by AGF Malami to ignite fire where there is none. We want President Muhammadu Buhari to call AGF Malami and the cabal at the corridor of power to order. It is not only curious and spurious, but surprising how Malami came up with his jaundiced memo that is meant to instigate crisis between the Ijaw of Gbaramatu Kingdom and our Itsekiri neighbours.”

In a similar statement, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who is the Ibe-Benemowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, said, “Let it be known that the Ijaw people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the Ijaw people of Warri South-West will not, cannot, shall not, allow their community’s name to be bastardized by a group of persons who are always looking for trouble. It is this changing of name and sitting of places that brought about Warri crises in the relocation of the local government from Ogbe-Ijoh to Ogidigben. Those who have not read about the Warri crises should know.

“From the publication, I understood that Malami and H. A. Tahir relied on a Supreme Court judgment. The Supreme Court judgment was between one James Uluba and others. E. E. Sillo and others. This is not the first time it is happening. The Itsekiri have always referred to this judgment. The bill that was submitted to the National Assembly carried the caption: ‘Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko’; it has never been ‘Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenghigho.”

 

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