Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri, Wednesday said the unity of his Ijaw kinsmen in Delta state was necessary for the ethnic group’s progress and development.
Speaking at Bomadi in Bomadi local government area of the state during a grand reception in honour of the governor of Delta state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, organized by the Delta Ijaw Political Leaders, Governor Diri remarked that their unity will make it easy for them to be heard and taken seriously.
While assuring them of his support, the Bayelsa governor hailed the performance of his Delta counterpart, whom he said had brought development to Ijaw communities and the state at large.
Diri noted that Oborevwori’s performance in his first term justified his quest for a second term and pledged his support.
The Bayelsa helmsman also stated the need for leaders of the Niger Delta region to prioritise service to the people over personal gains and said he would discuss the possibility of collaborating with his Delta colleague on a bridge project to link Ijaw communities in both states.
He said: “Governor Sheriff has done so well for the Ijaw people in Delta and the testimonies are clear. By your works, you have been endorsed for a second tenure and so shall it be. We all have a common terrain and culture and so for any of us that God has elevated, it should be service to our people.
“It is a lie that due to the terrain of Ijawland, road construction is impossible. You have proved such people wrong. The governor is development-oriented and I am sure he will continue to listen to Ijaw people. We must break that jinx that Ijaw nation terrain is too difficult to develop.”
In his remarks, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressed appreciation to the Ijaws in the state for the honour done him, saying he felt like their kinsman coming home.