Comrade Ezekiel Ukulor, a political analyst and activist in the Warri South-West constituency of Delta State, has cautioned an ex-leader of Itsekiri students, David Utseoritsemofe Tonwe, in his disrespectful comments to Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, over remarks made by the latter in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state during the endorsement by the Ijaws of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a second term in office.

Comrade Ukulor's caution is in reaction to the ex-leader of Itsekiri students' remarks made in an online publication wherein Tonwe accused the Delta State Speaker as being "dishonourable" over Rt. Hon. Guwor's declaration that the Ijaws have six local government areas in the state.

Tonwe had been quoted saying that, "Mr. Speaker Emomotimi Dennis, I watched the viral video in which you claimed that the Ijaw own six local governments in Delta State. Some people may ask why I addressed you as “Mr. Speaker” instead of “Honourable Speaker”. First, who is an honourable person? An honourable person is someone who adheres strictly to high moral and ethical principles, acting with integrity, honesty, and fairness. Based on this definition, I find it more appropriate to address you as “Mr. Speaker,” as there is nothing honourable about you." 

The ex-leader of Itsekiri students' also alleged that Rt. Hon. Guwor was the brain behind the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) redelineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency which he described as "fraudulent".

Reacting to the statements, Comrade Ukulor stated that Tonwe's comments, which were accredited in the report as made outside the shores of Nigeria, might have been affected his judgement by his being faraway from home and from the reality on ground.

He said, "Imagine Tonwe, who is not even in Nigeria as disclosed by the report, saying disrespectful things and levelling allegations against an Honourable Speaker duly elected by the people and certified by his colleagues, who further elected him Speaker of the Honourable House.

"His comments have shown him as irresponsible, and it is a demonstration of his poor learning mentality because he ought to know that when you alleged you must have substantial proof, not hearsay or them say.

"Maybe he (Tonwe) thinks Delta State politics is students politicking where youthful ignorance is displayed in public. It is quite unfortunate and a display of outright Ignorance on his part.

"My focus is not on the local government areas occupied by the Ijaws. That record is in the public space. Anyone can Google that fact, which speaks for itself. And so I will not join issues with him on that as that will be lowering my standard. So, on that issue, the Speaker is on point," he vilified the Honourable Speaker.

Speaking on Tonwe's disrespect of the Speaker, he said, "Whether he (Tonwe) likes it or not, and while he is entitled to his opinion and has the freedom of speech to utter his comments, the fact remains that Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor is the Honourable Speaker of the state House of Assembly.

"We should learn to respect our leaders and give honour to the platform they occupy. We should not, as Deltans, allow ethnic sentiments to subject us to emotional reasoning and then begin to insult constituted authority. Imagine me insulting the royal stool because I'm not in tandem with an action or because I have an axe to grind, how would he or his people feel?" he queried.

Comrade Ukulor called on the youths not to go down the path towed by Tonwe, but to demonstrate maturity in their reasoning, stressing that the era of divisive politics is gone, as the people in the constituency should join forces together to confront the common challenges bedeviling them.

"People like Tonwe are the bane to peace in our Constituency today. They sit comfortably in another man's land, in a foreign land, and then create problems for those at home. Is that the kind of person the youths should listen to or follow? The youths should wake up and not tow division or sowing seeds of discord," Comrade Ukulor counseled.

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