It is not wishful. Neither it is  a conjecture that the Itsekiris, whether consciously or otherwise, would prefer somebody of Anioma extraction to a candidate from any part of the state as  governor in 2015.

There can’t be any doubt that DeltaState is waist-deep in the ethos of ethnic politics. For those that have kept tab on  the ethnic politics of the state, the reason for the  apprehension of the Itsekiris toward an Urhobo governor come 2015, or at any other time in the political future  of the state may not sound too convincing though. But it is something that has been there.

Even though spongy, it is biting.  The unhealthy and age-long rivalry between both ethnic nationalities, if not timely and properly addressed, may further endanger the peace and development of the state.

All things being equal, the emergency of an Anioma governor in  2015 would mark a successful alliance between  Deltans of the Southern and the Northern senatorial districts against the perceived  hegemony of the Urhobos of Delta Central senatorial constituency.

Ofcourse, it is in public domain that not many Deltans would want to subscribe to what the people of the South Senatorial district had labeled Urhobo hegemony over the rest people of  the state. The fact is that there is a permeating, yet non-existing  fear that by virtue of having more council areas than other senatorial districts, the Urhobos of Delta Central could continually manipulate same to remain in power as long as they would so desire.

With recourse to the Southern and Northern alliance (still being worked out),  one thing among other variables would stand out as  political consequences of a successful coalition between Delta South and North senatorial districts. Expectedly, both districts  would have  consolidated their grips  over the political landscape of the state.

Further, it will fire a salvo, indicating that no group, class, section or ethnic group in the state has an exclusive  right to the number one and Chief Executive seat of the state. Which ever way we think of this, to me it doesn’t look like a feat that can be easily achieved, as the Urhobo, perhaps, as part of the allegation against them, have a way of playing politics of divide-and-rule.

All things being equal, the victory of  Anioma 2015 Agenda is as good as here. The average Itsekiri man cannot  wait to savour this victory, and consequently go to sleep with both eyes closed. With recourse to the past, and as alleged, the Itsekiris as a nation hadn’t had it so well during the period of the state when  Urhobos were  in control.

Truly,  one could feel the pulses among the political class hinting that   an Anioma governor, rather than an Urhobo, will be more liberal to Itsekiri development-related issues, and more importantly, guarantee their  safety in the state that has been so much politicized along ethnic lines. How  the Itsekiris will fare, if the pendulum swings to either side of the divide of  Anioma and Urhobo  is giving politically conscious Itsekiris grave concern, even though the general feelings among them is one of an  Anioma’s victory in the gubernatorial pool in 2015.

Since the creation of the state in 1991, Delta Central Senatorial district has produced two governors of the state. Although, the tenure of Senator(Olorogun) Felix Ibru was interrupted by a  military coup, it cannot be totally erased that the Urhobo extractions of the state adequately benefited from the Ibru’s brief administration.

However, this was not the case when one of their own, Chief James Ibori, took most political gladiators of the state by storm to emerge governor of the state in 1999. Ibori’s administration was an eye-opener to both the South and the North Senatorial districts that the only way to remain relevant in the State which finds itself waist deep in ethnic politics is to control the state’s vault as a catalyst to the development of such  political constituency.

As it is, an Itsekiri may not make it to Government house, Asaba, as governor of the state in a long time to come .  Thus, it is incumbent on them to fashion out a political equation that will guarantee their safety as well as developmental convenience. The Itsekiris at this point in time cannot afford to play a politics of vacillation, not with their relevance in the politics of the state.

There is no doubt that the three Warri LGAs have all it will take to make an impart during any election. Of course, no right thinking gubernatorial aspirant for that matter will want to underestimate the potency or magic wand of the three Warri LGAs when it comes to deciding the fates of aspirants.

We are all living witnesses to how election results from South-West and Warri-North LGAs permanently truncated  Ogboru’s jubilation of having won the Delta re-run election in 2011. This being what it is, I am of the view that the Itsekiris should be calm, strategize and collectively decide where to rest their alliance.

Rather than allowed a few selfish politicians ruin the political chessboard for them, again, I am of the opinion that 2015 should better be decided by the people and not ‘political vultures’ in the midst of the Itsekiris. As 2015 approaches, Itsekiri should be viewed as a nation and never as Dr. Uduaghan, Hon. Daniel Reyieneju, Hon Mayuku, Alex Eyengho, Chief Ayiri Emami, Hon. David Tonwe e.t.c.

Mr  Okofu Ubaka,  a political analyst, wrote from Warri , Delta State.