The Itsekiri monarch, in a statement issued yesterday by the Palace Administrator, Dr. Emmanuel Tetsola, also claimed not to be part of the meeting of the Niger Delta monarchs with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.
Clark, who is the Ijaw national leader, had a fortnight ago convened a stakeholders’ meeting of six coastal states of the Niger Delta at Effurun in Delta State towards proffering solutions to the renewed militancy in the region. The meeting was attended by the Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa while the Bayelsa Governor was represented.
The meeting resolved to set up a dialogue team which would discuss with the Federal Government on behalf of militant groups in the region.
While disowning those claiming to have represented Itsekiri nation at the meeting called by Clark and the one with the Petroleum minister, the statement emphasized that the monarch had not authorised anybody to represent him or the people of Itsekiri.
It stated, “It has come to the knowledge of the Palace of the Olu of Warri that some Itsekiri sons and daughters who are attending the above mentioned meetings are claiming to be representing either the Olu of Warri or the Itsekiri people of Delta State.
“The Palace wishes to state categorically that while individuals are entitled to freedom of speech and association, as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution, it has not authorised or mandated any person to represent either the Olu of Warri or the Itsekiri people at these meetings.”
The Itsekiri royalty particularly frowned on a report in one of the national dailies which claimed that Prof. Lucky Akaruese represented the Itsekiri ethnic nationality at both meetings.
“Consequently, those persons who attended these meetings cannot arrogate to themselves the authority to speak or represent either the Olu of Warri or the Itsekiri people,” the Olu of Warri added, even as he urged the general public to disregard such insinuation.
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