GBARAMATU/Nigeria: The traditional ruler of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri Southwest local government area of Delta state, His Royal Majesty Oboro -Gbaraun II has backed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for second tenure, citing social impact, equity and cohesion in multiethnic as reasons for the endorsement.
Pere Oboro-Gbaraun II stated this Tuesday in an exclusive interview in his Palace at Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom while assessing political developments in the state under the administration of Oborevwori.
Gbaramatu, an ancient oil producing Kingdom comprising several Ijaw communities living on the coastline is famously known as centrepiece of the 1990s to millennium Niger Delta liberation struggle and birthplace of freedom fighter, High Chief Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
The Pere of Gbaramatu said sustainable development and peaceful co-existence can only thrive in ethically- diverse Delta with the maintenance of established political order and balance of power among the three senatorial districts.
The first class Ijaw monarch noted that with the completion of eight years of governorship by Delta North senatorial district after Delta South and Delta Central successfully had their turns, it was imperative that Delta Central through Oborevwori also serve out its fair share of eight years.
He emphasized that beyond the sacred principle of power rotation on gubernatorial office in the state since 1999, “Governor Oborevwori deserved a second term, remarkably earned through his accommodating leadership style and development initiatives across Delta”
The Pere said as a traditional ruler and father -figure, he remained apolitical, nonpartisan and nonaligned but avowed that he has a spiritual and moral duty to give guidance on Delta’s political trajectory.
According to the Pere of Baramati:
“Our son, Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is a simple humble governor, yet a workaholic. He is making progress in infrastructure development and peacebuilding. He merits all support now and in the future by the grace of God for doing a good job as governor.
“After his first four years, he will do much more to transform Delta state. By the second tenure, there is no doubt that he would have consolidated on his achievements with lasting legacy for the benefit of all Deltans. He deserves to be supported.
“We have the G-3 in Delta comprising Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko. Then the Urhobos and Anioma which make up the five major ethnic groups in the state.There have been relative peace among them All the political actors in the state must follow the path of order to promote stability and inclusiveness among the various ethnic groups”
On the fortunes of Ijaw people under the Oborevwori administration, the Gbaramatu king said :
” We are generally happy.The times are particularly good for the inhabitants of Gbaramatu Kingdom. Our son ,Rt .Hon. Emomotomi Guwor is the Speaker of Delta state House of Assembly in Oborevwori regime.
He is working closely with the governor and we are thankful for the exalted office our son Guwor occupies in the state.The governor has also done us proud with the provision of some internal roads along other amenities”
Pere Oboro-Gbaraun II described Gbaramatu as a strategic economic hub of Nigeria with outstanding quota of oil and gas production and urged the federal and state governments to pay greater attention to the area, to mitigate it’s development challenges.
The Pere appealed to the state to liaise with the federal government to “complete the 60 kilometre Omadino -Gbaramatu road awarded by the previous administration to ease the severe difficulties of riverine transportation the people have encountered over the years and also aid economic activities among the rural dwellers”
The traditional ruler concluded with an “appeal to the federal to enact the necessary law giving legal authority to Maritime University” ,a federal institution located in nearby, Okerenkoko.
