JUST IN: IYC Calls On Federal Government To Caution Sheriff Oborevwori Led Delta State Government Over Inciting Publication, Says Itsekiris Are Not Majority In Warri North LGA -

By Esther David

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, ably led by Comrade Nicholas Igarama in strong terms, condemns the recent declaration by the Delta State Government that the Itsekiri ethnic Nationality being the predominant tribe in Warri North Local Government Area.

Ordinarily, the Council would have discarded such statement if it had emanated from less authoritative quarters. However, for such a grave misrepresentation to come from the State Government makes it a matter that cannot be treated with kid gloves.

The claim that Warri North is predominantly occupied or dominated by Itsekiri is unequivocally misleading, and a direct threat the existing peace in the state and warri North in particular.

Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori should be held responsible in case of Crisis in Warri Federal Constituency.

At a time when peace in Warri is already fragile due to the recent delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the State Government ought to be a stabilizing force, not promoting crisis with false and manipulated rhetoric.

For clarity, Warri North is home to both Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic Nationalities where the Ijaws are majority, both in population and in number of communities. The outcome of the recent INEC delineation exercise emphatically confirmed this fact.

Furthermore, the assertion that Ijaws in Warri North are under the auspices and dictate of the Olu of is an insult to the ancient and revered stool of the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, who, like the Olu of Warri, is a sovereign monarch presiding over his people, occupying over 250 communities.

We are deeply concerned and question whether the Delta State Government is deliberately aligning itself with the Itsekiri nationality in their persistent attempts to distort history and project themselves as lordship of the other ethnic nationality in Warri North Local Government.

The IYC therefore demands:

An immediate retraction of this false publication.
A public apology to the Ijaws of Warri North Local Government Area.
A clear distancing of the Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration from any perceived bias or complicity in Itsekiri attempts to dominate other tribes in Warri.
Call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, National Security Adviser, Department of State Security Services to call the Governor to order.

Signed:
Comrade Nicholas Igarama – Chairman IYC Western Zone
Barr. Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo – Secretary IYC Western Zone
Comrade Tare Magbei – Information Officer, IYC Western Zone