“Deleting The Misleading Publication Is Not Enough: We Demand An Apology”__

By Esther David

On 16th August 2025, the official Facebook page of the Delta State Government published a misleading post concerning Warri North Local Government Area. Though this post has since been deleted following public outcry, such an action falls woefully short of justice.

As Egbema Ijaws of Warri North, we cannot sit idly by and watch our revered and respected throne disrespected, nor can we allow our history to be reduced to a caricature by a government platform that ought to embody truth, neutrality, and unity.

The publication in question was not only false but injurious, as it attempted to distort historical facts and misrepresent the rightful place of the Egbema people within Warri North. Such deliberate misinformation constitutes an affront to our cultural heritage and a breach of the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability which the state government is both legally and morally bound to uphold.

For the avoidance of doubt, the presence and authority of our revered King, His Royal Majesty, the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, in Warri North is not new—it has existed since time immemorial. This is formally recognized in the Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Edict, 1999 (No. 1), where under Warri North, the document clearly lists “The Olu of Warri” and “The Agadagba of Egbema” as the two officially recognized traditional rulers. This incontrovertible record confirms that our throne and kingship are not a matter of recent claim, but an established and legally recognized reality.

It is therefore deeply troubling and raises grave concern that the same state government, which in its official legal instruments has long recognized our traditional ruler, would stoop so low as to disseminate a false and misleading message to the public. Such conduct undermines public trust in government communications, erodes confidence in the rule of law, and has the potential to destabilize the peaceful coexistence we strive to maintain in Warri North.

We draw attention to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees freedom from discrimination on grounds of ethnic affiliation, and Section 21(a), which mandates the state to protect, preserve, and promote Nigerian cultures that enhance human dignity. Furthermore, Section 34(1) guarantees the right to dignity of the human person, a right that is undermined when a people’s throne, culture, and history are publicly ridiculed.

Deleting the post alone does not amount to a remedy. Under the doctrine of public accountability and constitutional responsibility, when a state institution disseminates falsehood, it carries the legal and ethical duty to correct the record publicly and unequivocally.

Therefore, the apology we demand must go beyond a mere acknowledgment of error—it must expressly recognize the majority status of the Egbema Ijaws in Warri North, as we are more in population, and we occupy the larger expanse of land in the local government area. This is not a matter of speculation but one that is undisputed by history, established by facts, and validated legally, both in court judgments and in official state records such as the Traditional Rulers Council Edict.

Failure to tender such an apology will leave us with no alternative but to exercise our constitutional right under Section 40 to peaceful assembly and association. Accordingly, we, the Egbema Ijaws of Warri North, shall proceed to Asaba to formally register our displeasure in a peaceful but resolute manner.

A stitch in time saves nine—the earlier this wrong is corrected, the better for justice, peace, and harmony in Delta State.