The Ijaw ethnic group in Edo State has lamented what it described as marginalisation of its people in the appointment of commissioners and distribution of infrastructure in the state.
The group said being the origin of the state, its people deserve a position in the executive council.
Addressing journalists in Benin, the Secretary, Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone, Comrade Olu-Derimon Omaghomi, said out of the 11 commissioners and two special advisers appointed by the governor not a single Ijaw was included despite voting massively for Obaseki in the 2020 governorship election.
“We are not happy as Ijaw people. We have five clans in the state namely, Egbema, Olodiama, Gbaraun, Furupagha and Okomu in Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East and Ikpob-Okha Local Governments and we voted massively for him.
“As we speak, no Ijaw man is elected into the State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives. We are not strangers, we are aborigines.’’
According to him, Ijaw is not only marginalised in terms of appointments but also in infrastructure, alleging that out of about 109 roads captured for construction and rehabilitation, not a single one falls within Ijaw communities.
“Even our waterways are not cleared for fishing. If the governor is not considering us for road construction, he should help us clear our waterways for fishing, this is our major livelihood.”
He appealed to the governor to consider the Ijaw-speaking people for appointment in his cabinet.
