By Godwin Oritse

Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, weekend, said that the groundbreaking ceremony of the $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in Ogidigben, Warri South- West Local Government Area, Delta State, on March 13 will determine the vote of the Itsekiri nation in the forth- coming general elections.

Speaking after a meeting of the Itsekiri leaders in Lagos, Secretary of the group, Mr Edward Ekpoko, advised all Itsekiri sons and daughters to think of the Itsekiri ethnic group first before casting their votes.

Ekpoko described the agitation by the Ijaw as oppressive, adding that violence will only lead to a wider divide amongst the ethnic groups

He said: “The Itsekiri know who they will vote for and one of the factors that will determine the Itsekiris’ vote will be the EPZ groundbreaking. We still look up to President Goodluck Jonathan to perform the groundbreaking and Itsekiri all over world are watching. If he does not perform the ceremony on that day, we will leave everything to posterity and it will be a day the Itsekiri will never forget.

“Violence has become right. If you pick up arms today, the government will listen to you. It is very sad. From what we have heard, the President is coming to perform the ceremony on March 13. In view of the threat from the Ijaw that if Jonathan does not win the election, there will war and all that, every Itsekiri man has to be conscious of that and be at alert.

“The Federal Government has not even come out to condemn the statement by these reformed militants and that is creating fear amongst other people in the Niger Delta, not only the Itsekiri.

“Election is an expression of one’s right and Jonathan became President through an elective process. I think the Ijaw should let the process run its full course. Elections are not a do or die affair.

“Those who will vote for Jonathan will vote for him, it is not by threat and those who will not vote for him will not vote him. Some of the militants are not helping Jonathan by their utterances and statements, as they are doing a great disservice to him.”