“Stop Aiding Historic Lies And Political Manipulation In Warri, You Have No Jurisdiction Here”__

By Uche Alvin

OPEN LETTER TO THE OODUA PEOPLE’S CONGRESS (OPC):

STOP AIDING HISTORICAL LIES AND POLITICAL MANIPULATION IN WARRI — YOU HAVE NO JURISDICTION HERE

Date: [12/7/2025]
From: Ijaw Elders Watch of Warri Federal Constituency
To: The Leadership and Members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC)

With deep pain in our hearts, mixed with righteous anger and historical clarity, we the Ijaw people of Warri Federal Constituency are compelled to respond to the reckless and inflammatory statement issued by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), a Yoruba ethnic group with no connection whatsoever to our lands, our people or our reality in the Niger Delta.

Your intervention in a matter you know nothing about and have no historical or territorial ties to, is both irresponsible and provocative. We will not accept it, today, tomorrow or ever.

A FAKE CROWN BUILT OF LIES CANNOT COMMAND REAL OWNERS

Let it be known: the Itsekiris do not have ancestral ownership of the land they parade as theirs.

The land they now call Ode-Itsekiri the headquarters of Itshekiris was founded by an Ijaw man named Fifan Wandobo and was originally called Okotomu.

They migrated in, settled among us, were harboured by our ancestors in peace and have since then resorted to manipulation, lies and historical distortions.

The Itsekiri crown is not only fake, it is a relic of fabrication.
A king that cannot enter neighbouring communities without requesting permission just like others, has no territorial authority.
They cannot summon us, we are not their subjects.
We do not bow to propaganda and we do not respond to forged ancestry.

OPC, KNOW YOUR LIMIT — THIS IS NOT YOUR FIGHT

The OPC’s attempt to interfere in this long-standing issue between the Ijaw people and Itsekiris is not only unwise but dangerous. You are stoking ethnic fire based on manipulated stories.

Where were you during the 1997 Warri crisis? Do you understand the scars we still carry?
Have you forgotten how reckless alliances and ethnic intrusion almost burned Warri to the ground?

This is not Lagos, this is Ijaw territory.
This is not your ancestral conflict.
This is not your war to fight, and if you do not stay in your lane, you will be held accountable for whatever consequences arise from your meddling.

STOP COVERING ITSEKIRI’S LIES AND LAND-GRABBING

The truth is simple: Ijaws have never annexed land. We only defend what is ours.

It is the Itsekiris who are desperately expanding, falsely claiming every piece of land in Delta State.

They are moving from place to place, whispering lies, manipulating ethnic sentiments and trying to blackmail INEC and the federal government to stall a fair delineation process.

Their tactics have included:

Publishing false claims in national newspapers

Trying to incite violence in Warri and its environs

Taking campaign threats into NPA and other Ijaw territories

Burning, spreading hate speech, and instigating panic

And now, they are hiding behind the name of OPC to carry out another round of intimidation.

Let it be known that our patience is not weakness.
We are peace-loving, but we will not be pushed beyond our limits.
We are not fools.

INEC DID A FAIR JOB — LET THE RESULTS BE RELEASED

We firmly state:

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) followed due process.

All relevant Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri stakeholders were carried along.

Nobody bribed INEC, as falsely alleged by the Itsekiris and your misinformed group the OPC.

The delineation process must not be delayed by false ethnic blackmail.

We are calling on INEC, the National Security Adviser, the Presidency, the State Government and the Nigerian public to:

Immediately release the final ward delineation results

Ignore the propaganda, lies and sabotage from Itsekiri groups and their OPC backers

Defend truth, equity and peace in the Niger Delta

FINAL WARNING TO OPC AND OTHERS WHO CHOOSE TO BE USED

Let this letter serve as a clear and final warning:

The Ijaw people will not condone any attempt to twist our history, steal our land or undermine our dignity.
We will stand firm against every lie.
We will resist every manipulation.
We will expose every pretender.
We will fight, not with guns but with truth, records and the spirit of our ancestors.

OPC: Know your jurisdiction. Stay out of Delta State affairs.
Do not become a tool in the hands of false monarchs and historical liars.
Do not fan the flames of another Warri crisis. The memory of 1997 is still fresh.

Signed:
Chief Bekeowei Blessed
(President)

Chief Mike Youdiotu
(Secretary)

Ijaw Elders watch of Warri Federal Constituency