{"id":4643,"date":"2025-08-14T11:51:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T11:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/re-the-shilagatin-illegal-baby-king-historical-fraud-political-manipulation-and-the-urgent-need-for-federal-investigation\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T12:13:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:13:58","slug":"re-the-shilagatin-illegal-baby-king-historical-fraud-political-manipulation-and-the-urgent-need-for-federal-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/re-the-shilagatin-illegal-baby-king-historical-fraud-political-manipulation-and-the-urgent-need-for-federal-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Re: The Shenanigan Illegal \u201cBaby King\u201d \u2014 Historical Fraud, Political Manipulation, And The Urgent Need For Federal Investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Uche Alvin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INEC AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re: The Shenanigans Illegal \u201cBaby King\u201d \u2014 Historical Fraud, Political Manipulation, and the Urgent Need for Federal Investigation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From: Ijaw\/Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: [14\/8\/2025]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION: WHEN LIES SIT ON THE THRONE, JUSTICE IS IN EXILE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We write with a burning pain in our hearts, not merely as citizens but as custodians of the truth and defenders of the memory of our forefathers. The ongoing charade in Warri, the enthronement and international parading of a so-called \u201cOlu of Warri\u201d over lands and peoples he has no ancestral claim to, is a grotesque insult to history, a desecration of law and a calculated act of desperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not a matter of mere ethnic rivalry, it is the criminal rewriting of the past to cement a fraudulent political dominance. The fraud is old but the desperation is new and it is time the Federal Government, INEC and the international community investigate how state power, manipulated institutions and foreign lobbying have been used to impose an illegitimate kingship over Warri\u2019s majority peoples, the Ijaw and Urhobo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Nigerian Constitution (Section 14(2)(b)) makes clear: \u201cthe security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government\u201d not the protection of manufactured royal ancestry or the enabling of minority domination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. FRAUDULENT ANCESTRY & TITLE MANIPULATION<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Historically, the title \u201cOlu of Warri\u201d was never a pan-Warri throne. Colonial records, including the 1928 Intelligence Report on the Itsekiri, clearly indicate that the Olu\u2019s authority was confined to Itsekiri settlements, never extending over Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Egbema or Urhobo territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even earlier, in the Portuguese account of Pacheco Pereira (1485), the Ijaw presence in the Benin and Escravos rivers is documented decades before the arrival of Ginuwa, the Itsekiri\u2019s mythical first Olu. Yet, modern-day fabricators have woven genealogies that insert Itsekiri influence where it never historically existed, attempting to claim an overlordship that colonial officers themselves refused to recognise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. POLITICAL PATRONAGE OVER TRADITION<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Today\u2019s throne is not built on community consent but on the scaffolding of political patronage. Government-backed influence, state security forces and media machinery have been deployed to shield the illegitimate enthronement from scrutiny. Where tradition once demanded the blessing of all Warri\u2019s indigenous stakeholders, now political blessing substitutes for ancestral legitimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This is contrary to Section 42(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity or community origin. Yet, the state\u2019s selective recognition of one ethnic minority\u2019s claim over multi-ethnic territory is textbook discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. LAND GRABS IN THE NAME OF KINGSHIP<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        The fraudulent kingship has been used as a battering ram for illegal land appropriations. In Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu and Urhobo territories, the throne has served as a false legal pretext for claiming oil-bearing lands, coercing oil companies into lopsided deals, and diverting compensations meant for true indigenous owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colonial land lease records, particularly the notorious 1914 and 1936 leases show Itsekiri \u201csignatories\u201d consenting to the leasing of lands they never owned, a practice condemned even by the British as \u201cconvenience administration,\u201d not rightful sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. CULTURAL MISREPRESENTATION<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          The Olu of Warri is presented abroad as a pan-Warri cultural symbol, when in truth he represents a single ethnic minority. This deception erases the Ijaw and Urhobo cultural presence in the global imagination, replacing it with a false monolith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          From the fraudulent rebranding of the throne in 1952 (changing \u201cOlu of Itsekiri\u201d to \u201cOlu of Warri\u201d) to the present-day parades in foreign capitals, this is a sustained cultural hijacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. EXPLOITING STATE INSTITUTIONS<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            The manipulation has extended to INEC ward delineations, where the Itsekiri minority, less than 25% of Warri\u2019s population has historically enjoyed majority ward control, while the Ijaw and Urhobo majorities share the political crumbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Even the courts have been selectively used: favourable rulings are trumpeted as eternal law, while unfavourable judgments, such as Chief E. E. Sillo v. Chief Dore Numa (1934), which limited Itsekiri authority to their own settlements are buried in silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. INTERNATIONAL IMAGE LAUNDERING<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              The final insult is the international laundering of this illegitimacy. Delegations have been sent abroad to present fabricated historical documents to diplomats, projecting an image of unity and unbroken sovereignty that does not exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              This is nothing less than diplomatic fraud, an attempt to secure foreign recognition for a throne whose legitimacy would collapse under the weight of honest historical scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              CONCLUSION: OUR DEMAND FOR JUSTICE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              We call on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              1. The Federal Government of Nigeria to launch an immediate investigation into the political, financial and diplomatic machinery sustaining this fraudulent kingship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist all pressure, uphold the Supreme Court judgment in Timinimi v. INEC (SC\/CV\/1033\/2023), and publish the true ward delineation reflecting demographic reality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. The International Community to reject all diplomatic overtures based on falsified historical claims until an impartial, historical and legal audit is conducted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Let it be known: the truth is not negotiable. The Constitution is not optional. And history will not forgive silence in the face of this calculated injustice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Signed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Chief Tiemopere Joshua (President)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Hon. (Barr.) Ovie Peter
                (Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Ijaw\/Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Cc:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The National Security Adviser (NSA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The President of the Senate, National Assembly of Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The Speaker, House of Representatives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The British High Commission, Abuja<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The United States Embassy, Abuja<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The European Union Delegation to Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The Ijaw National Congress (INC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Niger Delta Peoples Development (NDPD)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                All Niger Delta Governors\u2019 Forum Members<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INEC AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY Re:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3,13],"tags":[1356,1355,1358],"class_list":["post-4643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime","category-news","tag-and-the-urgent-need-for-federal-investigation","tag-political-manipulation","tag-re-the-shenanigan-illegal-baby-king-historical-fraud"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1178-1.jpg?fit=604%2C907&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4325,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/07\/re-historical-misrepresentation-colonial-distortion-and-the-urgent-need-to-uphold-electoral-integrity-in-warri-federal-constituency____coalition-group\/","url_meta":{"origin":4643,"position":0},"title":"RE: Historical Misrepresentation, Colonial Distortion And The Urgent Need To Uphold Electoral Integrity In Warri Federal Constituency____Coalition Group","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David MEMORANDUM To:The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)The National Security Adviser (NSA), Office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria From: Legal Advocate, Niger Delta Indigenous Rights Coalition Date: July 6, 2025 Subject:RE: Historical Misrepresentation, Colonial Distortion and the Urgent Need to Uphold Electoral Integrity in Warri\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0195-1.jpg?fit=1077%2C663&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0195-1.jpg?fit=1077%2C663&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0195-1.jpg?fit=1077%2C663&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0195-1.jpg?fit=1077%2C663&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0195-1.jpg?fit=1077%2C663&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5189,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/12\/11\/just-in-warri-based-group-exposes-greatest-traditional-fraud-in-southern-nigeria-demands-immediate-change-of-title-of-itsekiri-monarch-from-olu-of-warri-to-olu-of-itsekiri-describ\/","url_meta":{"origin":4643,"position":1},"title":"JUST IN: Warri Based Group Exposes Greatest Traditional Fraud In Southern Nigeria, Demands Immediate Change Of Title Of Itsekiri Monarch From \u201cOlu Of Warri\u201d To Olu Of Itsekiri, Describes Title As Illegal And Misleading","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"December 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER,THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT,AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC DATE: 11 DECEMBER 2025 SUBJECT: THE GREATEST TRADITIONAL FRAUD IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA, THE ILLEGAL AND MISLEADING TITLE \u201cOLU OF WARRI\u201d MUST BE REVERTED TO ITS TRUE\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Community"","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4663,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/16\/re-falsehood-about-warri-north-and-the-historical-truth-of-ijaw-majority-in-egbema-kingdom\/","url_meta":{"origin":4643,"position":2},"title":"RE: FALSEHOOD ABOUT WARRI NORTH AND THE HISTORICAL TRUTH OF IJAW MAJORITY IN EGBEMA KINGDOM","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT RE: FALSEHOOD ABOUT WARRI NORTH AND THE HISTORICAL TRUTH OF IJAW MAJORITY IN EGBEMA KINGDOM From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: [16\/8\/2025] Introduction: Government Must Not Be a Conduit of Falsehood Dear Rt. 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INTRODUCTION: WHEN HISTORY WARNS AND GOVERNMENT MUST\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Crime"","block_context":{"text":"Crime","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/crime\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1176-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1176-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1176-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1176-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4733,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/23\/the-historical-truth-about-warri-federal-constituency-ward-delineation-and-inecs-dangerous-delay\/","url_meta":{"origin":4643,"position":4},"title":"The Historical Truth About Warri Federal Constituency Ward Delineation and INEC\u2019s Dangerous Delay","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INEC, AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC Subject: The Historical Truth About Warri Delineation and INEC\u2019s Dangerous DelayDate: [22\/8\/2025] History Will Not Forgive INEC\u2019s Delay Your refusal to announce the Supreme Court\u2013ordered final ward delineation result for Warri Federal Constituency is a betrayal\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2034-1-1.png?fit=225%2C225&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5137,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/12\/09\/inec-warri-based-group-demand-immediate-announcement-of-warri-federal-constituency-final-delineation-report-describes-delay-as-a-threat-to-peace-and-security-in-warri\/","url_meta":{"origin":4643,"position":5},"title":"INEC: Warri Based Group Demand Immediate Announcement Of Warri Federal Constituency Final Delineation Report, Describes Delay As A Threat To Peace And Security In Warri","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"December 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Uche Alvin URGENT OPEN LETTER BY THE WARRI CONCERNED MANDATE MOVEMENT TO THE PRESIDENCY, INEC, NSA AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC9\/12\/2025 SUBJECT: URGENT DEMAND FOR THE IMMEDIATE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FINAL WARD DELINEATION RESULT, WARRI CANNOT CONTINUE UNDER FRAUD AND MANIPULATION The Warri Concerned Mandate Movement rises today with a voice\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_4694-1.jpg?fit=539%2C550&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_4694-1.jpg?fit=539%2C550&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_4694-1.jpg?fit=539%2C550&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1cT","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4643"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4646,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4643\/revisions\/4646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}