BY EMMA AMAIZE

WARRI—LEADERS of three Ijaw groups in Delta State, have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to seize the opportunity of his recent sack of nine ministers to appoint an Urhobo native as minister in his new cabinet.

National president of the National Council of Ijaw Activists, NACIA, Alhaji Yusuf Eregbene, President of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, Mr Austin Ozobo and President, National Association of Izon–Ebe Law Students, NAIL, Mr Ebi Wayas, said in a statement “The appointment of an Urhobo minister after the exit of Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi is long overdue.

“The Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State should be compensated for their 100 per cent support for Mr. President during his election. Uhrobo deserved a place in Jonathan’s administration, they should be given a sense of belonging in Goodluck’s administration, their support should not be taken for granted.

“President Jonathan should appoint a credible and acceptable Urhobo son as a minister as an acknowledgement of their unalloyed support for him.

“The Urhobo are one of the pillars of the Niger-Delta, they have contributed meaningfully to the development and sustainability of this country. We appeal with Mr. President to consider the Urhobo for a ministerial appointment.

“The Ijaw people are not greedy, they stand for transparency and accountability, so the Urhobo are our good brother, there is need for them to also benefit from Goodluck’s administration. We also call on Ijaw leader, Papa Edwin Clark, to facilitate the process for appointment of Urhobo minister to give the Urhobo a sense of belonging,” they said.