As serving governments in Delta and Rivers States prepare to run their last lap, and attention turns to what will happen in the 2023 governorship race, there are signs that Ijaws in both states are making a strong bid for power.
In Delta where Onanefe Ibori, the celebrated king maker in the State is struggling to ensure power does not go to the northern part of the State, the Ijaws appear to have found an important ally in Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Okowa is determined to keep an understanding reached with Tompolo, the ex-militant warlord on behalf of the Ijaw nation.
Ibori is believed to be behind a push by the Delta Central zone to snatch the governorship ticket away from the Ijaws.
Many suspect “DC 23”, a group that has become prominent in the State which is lobbying to ensure that the central zone provides the next governor of Delta State is backed by him.
In Rivers State, most Ijaws appear to be building a rainbow coalition. There are speculations that high level meetings are being held.
According to what we have learnt, the Ijaws in Delta appear to be far ahead in their drive to present a candidate on the platform of the PDP which still enjoys a strong presence in the South South.
The Ijaws in Rivers State have had access to everything in government, but the only thing they have not enjoyed since Bayelsa State was carved out is the governorship seat.
This time, the Ijaws are seemingly working round the clock to see how they can change the narrative through dialogue and negotiations.
Among members of Governor Nyesom Wike’s inner circle are Ijaws who are believed to be aspiring for the PDP governorship ticket.
They include Senator George Sekibo, Dr Abiye Sekibo, a one-time Transport Minister and Dr Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
These men reportedly expressed their interest in the forthcoming race at a high level meeting which held somewhere in Port Harcourt, according to what we have heard.
In Delta, the nomination of James Manager as the candidate of the Ijaw nation has sent political shockwaves across the entire State.
It is equally steering debate within political circles as Ibori and Tompolo battle for supremacy.
While the ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo known popularly as Tompolo is weighing on the side of a fellow Ijaw, the godfather of Delta politics, Chief James Ibori, is purportedly employing a different strategy in his support for David Edevbie from Delta Central.
Thus far, the only major stumbling block in Ibori’s way is the outgoing State Governor.
Ibori has been unable to persuade Okowa to see his point of view and many remember that Edevbie ran against zoning.
It would appear this is payback time and Governor Okowa who is equally loved by the people is insisting on the agreement which would zone power out of the Central zone to the Ijaws.
It remains to be seen, what extent Ijaws in Rivers State are willing to go in pursuit of their ambition to produce the next governor.
When Wike finishes his tenure, it would be 24 years that the Riverine people have been unable to occupy Government House.
Now, the Ijaws are raising their voices. Professor Nimi Briggs and Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs apparently hinted at the impending governorship race when the Kalabari nation organized a civic reception in honour of Governor Wike last Saturday.
For the Ijaw nation, 2023 is a defining year, as the people who are claiming margination in Delta and Rivers believe it is their turn to taste the seat of power.
Ibori may be having some difficulty in selling his preferred candidate from the central area; difficulty in persuading Okowa; but Insiders say he is pushing hard to alter the zoning plan.
Should the former governor and kingmaker lose his bid, the power equation in Delta as a result of the Ijaw resolve may likely change.