THE DESPERATION OF THE ITSEKIRI PEOPLE: A CRY FROM THE HEART OF JUSTICE__

By Uche Alvin

PRESS RELEASE

THE DESPERATION OF THE ITSEKIRI PEOPLE: A CRY FROM THE HEART OF JUSTICE

With heavy hearts and a fire of truth burning in our souls, we, the true sons and daughters of the Urhobo Nation and Ijaw Nation, issue this cry, not just to Nigeria but to the global conscience of justice and equity.

The final judgment of the Supreme Court on the long-awaited Warri Federal Constituency delineation was clear. It was decisive. It was just. Yet, what we are witnessing today is a coordinated, shameless and desperate attempt by the Itsekiri ethnic group to upend this justice through manipulation, political pressure and falsehood.

THE ABUSE OF CONNECTIONS AND POWER

We are reliably informed that the Itsekiris, unable to accept the reality of a fair delineation, have resorted to abusing their proximity to power. We speak clearly here, their daughter, now occupying the revered position as First Lady of the Federal Republic, is being used as a tool to frustrate the release of the final delineation report.

This is not rumor, it is a growing pattern of desperation, where a people who fear the truth now conspire to suppress it through state actors and international manipulation. Is this how democracy works? Is this how justice is buried beneath influence, intimidation and secrecy?

They have run to international bodies, feeding them lies and fabrications of insecurity in the region, when in truth, it is they who continue to provoke conflict by refusing to accept peaceful outcomes.

INSECURITY IS A LIE—FABRICATED TO SUPPRESS JUSTICE

Reports reaching us indicate that the Itsekiris are mounting pressure on the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and other relevant Stakeholders, asking for the cancellation of the final phase of the delineation process under the guise of “insecurity.” What insecurity? Who is under attack? Who are the aggressors?

This is a dangerous lie. A lie told with straight faces and political backing. A lie intended to rob a people of their land, their identity and their dignity.

WE ARE NOT TENANTS IN WARRI

Let it be etched in the walls of history. The Urhobo and Ijaw people are not tenants in Warri. We are not strangers. We are not squatters. We are the owners of our ancestral land and no amount of twisted propaganda or political muscle can rewrite that truth.

For years, we have walked the path of peace. We have respected the courts. We have allowed legal processes to run their course, even while being provoked, harassed and marginalized.

But this, this right here, this deliberate sabotage of a Supreme Court directive is the final insult to our patience.

OUR DEMANDS

We therefore call on:

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release the final delineation report in obedience to the Supreme Court directive.

The National Security Adviser to stand above ethnic manipulation and protect the democratic process.

The Federal Government to resist external and internal interference and allow justice to take its rightful place.

The international community and human rights bodies to watch closely and call out ethnic oppression disguised as political lobbying.

A WARNING TO THOSE WHO TWIST THE SYSTEM

No tribe, no individual and no government office should think themselves above the law. Justice delayed is justice denied but justice subverted is the birthplace of unrest.

Let this be a call, not a threat. A plea, not a provocation. We will never give up our land. We will never accept a lie as history.

Let the truth speak.
Let the court’s ruling be respected.
Let peace be rooted in justice.

We are not tenants. We are the sons of the soil.

Signed:
Coalition for Urhobo/Ijaw Integrity and Justice (CUIIJ)
Warri Federal Constituency,
Delta State. Nigeria