Rights Advocate Timi Julius Igbiriki Petitions Delta State Over Misleading Publication Made By The State Government -

By Uche Alvin

PETITION TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE ON THE MISLEADING PUBLICATION BY THE OFFICIAL DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT FACEBOOK PAGE

His Excellency,
The Executive Governor,
Delta State Government House,
Asaba, Delta State.

Your Excellency,

I, Timi Julius Igbiriki, a concerned citizen of Warri North Local Government Area and an indigene of Egbema Ijaw extraction, most respectfully bring to your esteemed office a matter of grave concern arising from a misleading and provocative publication made on the official Facebook page of the Delta State Government on 16th August, 2025.

The said publication reads as follows:

“Warri North is a Local Government Area in Delta State, with its headquarters in the town of Koko. The area is known for being part of the larger Warri Kingdom and is predominantly inhabited by the Itsekiri people.”

This assertion is false, biased, and misleading. It wrongfully suggests that Warri North is exclusively Itsekiri territory under the overlordship of the Olu of Warri, thereby disregarding the indigenous Egbema Ijaw people and their constitutionally recognized traditional authority.

For the record:

The Egbema Ijaw people possess their own traditional institution duly recognized by the Delta State Government. The Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom has been formally presented with a Staff of Office by the State Government.
This recognition is expressly provided for in the Traditional Rulers, Council and Chiefs’ Edict 1999 No. 1 (Cap T2), Schedule, p.25 (see attached extract), which lists the Agadagba of Egbema as a recognized traditional ruler in Warri North, alongside the Olu of Warri.
Furthermore, the Nigerian courts, including the Supreme Court, have consistently upheld the rights of the Egbema Ijaw people in Warri North, affirming their distinct identity, traditional authority, and entitlement to fair political representation. Notable among these are:

Chief D.J. Etetor & Ors. v. Chief Fregene & Ors., Suit No: FHC/B/CS/XXX/1999 (Federal High Court, Benin Division), where the Court upheld the distinct status of the Egbema Ijaws in Warri North.

Egbema Clan v. Delta State Government & Ors., Suit No: HCK/XX/2002 (High Court of Delta State, Koko Judicial Division), which reaffirmed the recognition of the Agadagba as the lawful traditional ruler of the Egbema Ijaw people in Warri North.

Egbema Ijaw Community v. INEC & Delta State, Suit No: FHC/WR/CS/XXX/2010 (Federal High Court, Warri Division), where the Court ruled in favour of fair political representation for the Egbema Ijaws.

Anireju Ekudano & Anor v. Sunday Keregbe & Ors (SC/208/2002), where the Supreme Court gave final affirmation on issues directly connected to the rights, recognition, and representation of the Egbema Ijaw people in Warri North.

(Certified true copies of these judgments are attached herewith for Your Excellency’s attention.)

In addition, the recent wards and polling units delineation exercise conducted by INEC confirmed the Ijaws as the numerical majority in Warri North Local Government Area, further invalidating the misleading narrative of Itsekiri exclusivity.

Given these legal and constitutional facts, the said publication amounts to a gross misrepresentation of both law and fact, and constitutes an affront to the Egbema Ijaw people, who are bona fide stakeholders in Warri North.

In light of the foregoing, we hereby demand as follows:

That the offensive publication of 16th August, 2025 be taken down immediately.
That a formal and public apology be issued by the handler of the Delta State Government Facebook page to the Egbema Ijaw people of Warri North.
That the handler(s) responsible for this misinformation be investigated, disciplined, and sanctioned to prevent further divisive misrepresentations.

TAKE NOTICE that the continued propagation of such falsehoods is capable of generating avoidable ethnic tension and undermining the peace of Warri North Local Government Area. The Delta State Government must act swiftly and decisively to forestall these consequences and to reassure all ethnic groups of its impartiality and commitment to justice.

PRAYER:
We therefore humbly but firmly pray Your Excellency to use your good office to:

Intervene urgently,

Correct the falsehood officially, and

Reaffirm the recognition of the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, as already upheld by law and judicial precedent—
in the interest of justice, equity, and peaceful coexistence in our dear State.

We remain confident in Your Excellency’s commitment to fairness and the protection of all ethnic nationalities under your leadership.

Copies to:

The Deputy Governor, Delta State

The Director, DSS Delta State

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State

The Chairman, Warri North Local Government Area

The Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army, Koko

Respectfully submitted,

By:
Timi Julius Igbiriki
A Concerned Egbema Ijaw Citizen
Warri North Local Government Area

Attachments:

Extract from the Traditional Rulers, Council and Chiefs’ Edict 1999 No. 1 (Cap T2), Schedule, p.25.
Certified true copies of relevant court judgments (including Anireju Ekudano & Anor v. Sunday Keregbe & Ors (SC/208/2002).
INEC ward and unit delineation report affirming the Ijaws as majority in Warri North.