By TENSION is brewing in Warri, Delta State, following a fresh round of protests over the controversial ward delineation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the Youth President of Ogbe Ijoh, Victor Akemotubo, issued a stern warning to the Itsekiri community.
In a chat with journalists on Monday, Akemotubo expressed anger over what he described as an attempt by the Itsekiri to incite violence by staging a protest in Ogbe Ijoh, an Ijaw community in Warri South-West Local Government Area.
Ogbe Ijoh youth leader
“I’m here because I’m not happy. Our Itsekiri neighbours came into our community to disrupt the peace,” he said.
“Imagine, they went to Okumagba Estate, an Urhobo community, to do the same protest.
“If they are not looking for trouble, why would they go to Ijaw and Urhobo communities?”
Akemotubo insisted that the land in question belongs to the Ogbe Ijoh people and warned that any future attempt by the Itsekiri to protest within their territory would be met with resistance.
“This place you see here belongs to the Ogbe Ijoh people,” he declared. “The next time we see any Itsekiri man in this vicinity, we will deal with them. Whatever they want, we will give to them. We are not afraid as Ijaw people.”
Scores of Itsekiri youths protesting in Warri on Monday
The protest by scores of Itsekiri youths reportedly took place earlier on Monday in Warri South Local Government Area, where they voiced their opposition to the current INEC ward delineation exercise, which they claim is unfavourable to their ethnic group.
The protest, which spilled over into neighbouring communities including the Urhobo-dominated Okumagba Estate and Ijaw strongholds like Ogbe Ijoh, was condemned by Akemotubo.
Witnesses said a fracas ensued along Miller Waterside in Warri when some Ijaw youths reportedly pelted some protesting Itsekiri youths – a situation that brought in law enforcement agents to intervene.
Scores of Itsekiri youths protesting on Monday in Warri
The Ogbe Ijoh youth leader called on Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently intervene and caution the Itsekiri monarch and his people to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
“We want to plead with the Governor of Delta State to call the Itsekiri monarch and his people to order,” he said.
“Peace is important to us, but peace does not mean we will fold our arms while being provoked.”
Warri South chairman announcing the ban on rallies on Monday
Meanwhile, to avert further crisis, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comrade Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, on Monday, announced an indefinite ban on all forms of rallies and protests within the LGA.
The decision followed a security meeting held at the Warri South Council Main Secretariat.
Speaking on the development, Comrade Agbateyiniro stated that individuals or groups intending to organise protests or rallies must obtain official approval before proceeding.
He assured law-abiding residents of the council’s commitment to maintaining a secure and conducive environment for legitimate business and peaceful co-existence.
Our correspondent reports that in response to the rising tensions, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had convened a stakeholders’ meeting which was held in Abuja on Monday.
Details of the meeting, which brought together representatives of the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups in a bid to quell further unrest and foster dialogue, are yet to be made public.
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