The group, Itsekiri Oil and Gas Communities Forum have protested the nomination of Hon. Daniel Mayuku, immediate past Delta State House of Assembly member representing Warri South-West as Executive Director in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC by the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Coordinator of the group, Comrade Omayeli Okotie, in a petition addressed to the Governor and Olu of Warri, said that Mayuku doesn’t have the backing of the Palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwolu to represent Itsekiri nation on the board, insisting that neither did he get the recommendations of the Olu in Council, Warri Traditional Council, Warri Council of Chiefs”.
According to the petition, the aforementioned are the main and only recognized traditional institutions symbolising Itsekiri authority on issues affecting its people such as the DESOPADEC nomination.
He noted that if the nomination of Hon. Mayuku for the office of Executive Director is not immediately nullified, it will establish a very dangerous precedent that will undermine the influence and symbolism of the Warri Traditional institutions, which will in turn lead to greater consequences for Itsekiri sons and daughters all over the globe.
The Itsekiri Oil and Gas communities Forum appealed to the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli to as a matter of urgency intervene in order to appeal to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to kindly cancel the nomination of Hon. Daniel Mayuku as DESOPADEC Executive Director and do the right thing.
The group further posited that the nomination of the immediate past Warri South-West, Delta State House of Assembly member was illegal and therefore is regarded as illegitimate.
While receiving the protest letter from the protesters, Director Palace Administration, Chief Clement Maleghemi assured the protesters of immediately conveying their protest letter to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli for his attention.
He advised the protesting group to remain peaceful as they carry on with their protest.