BY Victor-Ahiuma Young
WARRI— PROMOTERS for the creation of Toru-Ibe State have appealed to the governments and opinion leaders in Edo, Delta and Ondo states not to misinform or mislead Nigerians about their agitation.

Labour Party, LP, candidate for Warri North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly in the April 26 poll, Mr. Adanse Felix, said the agitation was about self-determination and for the Ijaw in those areas to have a state where they can freely vote and be voted for in elections.

He said: “We appeal to monarchs as well as the government of Edo and Delta states not to misinform and mislead Nigerians about Toru-Ibe State. The suffering of the Ijaw in these states is nothing more than slavery and enslavement.

“The only solution to save these fellow oppressed Nigerians is the creation of Toru-Ibe State. Its creation will certainly bring about peace and tranquility in the ever restive Niger Delta region.

“We also want to correct an impression created that the Ijaw are tenants. Let us state here that Ijaws are the aborigines of the Niger Delta including the lands they are living on.”

“What interest do these false claimants have to keep the Ijaw in Edo and Delta states? Is it to keep us in perpetual slavery, oppression, intimidation and marginalisation?”

What the Ijaw want is a state of their own, where they can develop themselves and leave peacefully with neighbours in other states.”