COMMUNITY REPORT
Ijaw Opinion Leader Eselemo Counters Denial of Ijaw Existence in Warri South
Prince Collins Eselemo, the President of the group, Warri National Congress (WNC), has countered claims of the none existences of Ijaw people in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Eselemo spoke during a gathering by the group, representing Urhobo, Ijaw, and Itsekiri communities, on Tuesday to counter recent claims by dissident Itsekiri and Urhobo-Warri factions that deny the existence of Ijaw communities in the area.
Speaking at a press conference, Eselemo dismissed calls for an independent investigation into the presence of Ijaw villages, describing such efforts as manufactured and politically motivated attempts to undermine their land rights.
He said that Ijaw communities like Ogbe-Ijoh have historically owned and occupied their lands, citing colonial agreements and historical records that prove their ownership and existence.
Eselemo said the Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh were sacked from their Warri metropolis for Colonial structures and convenience stressing that Alders Town was part of the Ogbe-Ijoh clan lease that have since expired in 2005, with Ogbe-Ijoh now enjoying reversion rights.
He contended that the lease tagged Ogbe-Ijoh Clan land was also signed by Youwuren, product of union between Bini man and an Ijaw woman of Ofonibeingjan in Burutu LGA, not an Itsekiri man as erroneously touted.
Eselemo rebutted claims that Ijaw communities do not exist in Warri South, asserting that such assertions are fueled by sponsors who want to erase Ijaw presence for political gains.
He highlighted that Ogbe-Ijoh was an established community with markets, cemeteries, and schools—evidence of their deep roots and rightful ownership.
Eselemo said, “Ogbe-Ijoh was an established community, with the Ogbe-Ijoh Market standing to date as a bold relic. The present King George Hall was its customary court and the place behind Ojojo Primary School was Ogbe-Ijoh cemetery”.
He further pointed out that prominent Ijaw individuals, including himself, have legally purchased and developed lands within Warri South, including areas like Ewein ward, which the Delta State Government compensated him for and where schools and other infrastructure now stand.
“Over the years, however, a sufficient number of prominent Ijaw people also bought these vacated lands from the government, not from the Itsekiri. These prominent Ijaws were in large numbers to found Ijaw-named Torufa Primary School in Warri for education of their children”, Eselemo recounted.
“Among Ijaws like Eselemo, Agidee, Akebofa, Bozimo, Clark, there was also Egbuson, an Ijaw man whose property was bought over for the proposed palace of the present King of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom. So it is insulting, despotic, excruciating for anybody to say the Ijaws are not in Warri South.
“Over the years, the Ogbe-Ijoh people, in pride, thought it unthinkable to buy their own land for building which is understandable. They bought elsewhere in areas outside their land”, Eselemo said.
“Across the Warri river, there is the Ewein ward that is part of Warri South. That is my property that the Delta State Government paid me compensation and built a school. You can see the documents here (displays documents). So why would anybody say Ijaw are not in Warri South?”, Eselemo queried.
Eselemo challenged the narrative that Ijaws are outsiders, stating, “We bought our lands legally, and we own our heritage. To say otherwise is insulting and a deliberate attempt to rewrite history.”
He called on other ethnic groups, especially the Itsekiri, to emulate the Olu of Warri’s peaceful efforts in fostering dialogue and unity rather than perpetuating divisive narratives.
Eselemo also condemned recent protests and press conferences that deny Ijaw existence, labeling them as sponsored troublemakers seeking to destabilize peace in the region.
Asserting their rightful place in Warri South, Eselemo maintained, “The Ijaw community has contributed significantly to the development of Warri. We will continue to defend our lands and heritage against any attempt to deny our existence.”
Also speaking, Arc-Bishop Dr Sodje Wilfred, who spoke on behalf of the Urhobo in the WNC press briefing said “INEC has done the right thing. It was up to the ethnic groups of Warri to embrace peace and live as one to attract development”.
“Years back, Warri did not teach us tribe, it taught us brotherhood. I was surprised to watch a press conference saying Ijaw no dey Warri. That word no be Warri talk”, George Abbe who represented Itsekiri said in pidgin to applause, adding: “After President Tinubu’s intervention, such a press conference and talk no make sense”, Abbe lamented.