URS: Itsekiri Group Insists on Respect for Official Delta Ethnic Map, Says Peace Built on Injustice is Fragile

The Itsekiri Progress Club has rejected any attempts to cede or annex land within Warri, calling for maximum respect for official ethnic map of Delta State which clearly defines the boundaries of each ethnic group in the state as a panacea for enduring peace in Warri.

The group insisted that peace within the Warri territory can only be achieved through justice and respect for established boundaries.

In a rejoinder statement signed by its Chairman Dr. Tosan Popo, and Secretary, Mr. Godwin Oris Okotie, on Friday, the Itsekiri opinion group, emphasized that ongoing conflicts over land are rooted in unresolved injustices and territorial disputes that must be addressed head-on.

The statement comes amidst rising tensions in Warri, where some groups, notably the Urhobo Renaissance Society, had called for dialogue and peace among traditional rulers within the metropolis.

URS had called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as well as leadership of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council to initiate what they called an interface and conversation with Traditional Rulers laying claim to various territories/Kingdoms within the larger Warri territory.

However, the Itsekiri leaders warned that peace built on injustice is fragile and could lead to future conflicts.

They reaffirmed their position that the boundaries of Warri and its surrounding territories are clearly delineated by the official ethnic map of Delta State, which recognizes distinct council areas for each tribe.

According to the rejoinder, “The ethnic map of Delta State clearly defines the boundaries of each ethnic group, including Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko, Ndokwa, Ika, Anioma, and Oshimili.

“We urge all parties to respect these boundaries and work towards peaceful coexistence.

“In the Ethnic map of Delta State, we have clearly delineated 3 Council Areas exclusively for the Ijaws (Burutu, Bomadi and Patani), 8 Council Areas exclusively for the Urhobos (Uvwie, Udu, Sapele, Okpe, Ethiope West, Ethiope East, Ughelli North and Ughelli South LGAs) and 3 Council Areas for the Itsekiris – Warri South, Warri North and Warri South West LGAs) respectively.

They contended that there are various judgments at the highest cadre of justice that have been delivered ad infinitum regarding the ownership and overlordship of Warri Kingdom and the Itsekiri homelands comprising Warri South, Warri North and Warri Southwest LGAs.

The group insisted that only true justice that can bring the needed peace among ethnic nationalities in Warri, saying that people are more likely to feel a sense of fairness and stability, which can contribute to lasting peace in the area.

They reminded the Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS) and its leadership, led by a Senior Advocate of the Supreme court of Nigeria (SAN) that peace can sometimes be an illusion or a facade that hides underlying issues or injustices, when people prioritize avoiding conflict over addressing real problems, querying, “How do you define peace where glaring injustice sticks out its mangled fingers to continually unsettle an otherwise well-defined territory? .

“Until URS answers these burning questions, the issue of petitioning for peace remains illusive. Peace and justice are both valuable, but they’re not always the same thing”.

Going memory lane, the group postulated that the entire landscape known and called Warri had a customary overlord and customary tenant system, with each one living in mutual coexistence and the later paying its dues as provided by the law.

“This was how justice and equity laid the template until Satan became a politician.
It is not at noon that a man will discover if he is a woman!”

“It is essential to respect these decisions and avoid attempts to annex or claim territories that don’t belong to you. The various attempts to annex Itsekiri lands is the major threat to peace in the Warri Federal Constituency today”, they averred.

The situation in the territory, according to the Itsekiri group, is getting worse with what they described as “brazen acts of impunity being allegedly perpetuated by those who should supposedly enforce compliance and a pack of belligerent centrifugal forces attempting daylight defiance and threatening peace-loving owners of their territory while playing the victim game”.

They recalled; “the recent attempt and temerity of the Amakosu of Ogbe Ijoh to forcefully and unlawfully extend his territory to Warri South LGA from across the river, notwithstanding a clear and final estoppel by a competent court of jurisdiction barring him from such misadventure..

“Another is the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom created from an aboriginal Itsekiri community in Warri metropolis – Okere Community, the issue is, are we doing unto others what we want them to do unto us?

The group, however condenmed attempt by some elements to denigrate the throne of the Olu of Warri by referring to it as ‘Olu of Itsekiri’, saying that the development smack of mischief and inferiority complex.

“Another issue is the attempt by some clowns with little or corrupt knowledge and understanding of the entire traditional system in Delta state, to denigrate the exalted throne of our revered monarch.

“They are at ease to address the first-class Monarch of Warri as Olu of Itsekiri when they can’t designate others with same impunity. We know that there is no Ovie of Urhobo, Pere of Ijaw, Obi of Ndokwa, Asagba of Oshimili but it is okay to say Olu of Itsekiri.

“That’s the mischief card that inferior minds like to play. What they fail to realise is that the name Warri has never been associated with any other tribe in Nigeria, pre and post- independence, except the Itsekiri people.

The group cite recent attempts to claim Itsekiri lands, including unlawful land extensions and renaming of territories, as threats to the fragile peace in the metropolis, highlighting the danger of territorial expansion driven by misinterpretation and disrespect for judicial and customary decisions.

The Itsekiri club however expressed committed to promoting peace and understanding among communities in Warri, adding “We’re open to dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders to achieve this goal but we still believe that the fastest way to build, maintain and sustain peace in the territory, is for everyone to stay in their realm of influence in accordance with the ethnic map of the Delta State Government.

The group, urged all parties to respect the existing boundaries and avoid actions that could ignite conflict expressing commitment to peace, but on the condition that it is rooted in fairness, justice, and mutual respect—warning that any peace without justice risks being a mere illusion.