In an ongoing dispute over land ownership and the delineation of electoral wards in Warri, Delta State, Victor Okumagba, the Secretary of the Warri Urhobo National Congress, has asserted that the Itsekiri people have no ancestral roots in Warri Township.
His remarks came during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, amidst heated debates over territorial claims in Warri North, Warri South, and South West local government areas.
Okumagba’s comments were a direct response to Chief Rita Lori Obgebor, a human rights activist who argued that the Urhobos and Ijaws were attempting to usurp Itsekiri land and authority. "There is no ancestral root of any Itsekiri man to Warri Township," Okumagba stated unequivocally.
Dismissing Obgebor's claims, Okumagba referenced historical legal rulings to back his assertion. "This issue was settled long ago in court. For anyone to claim that the Itsekiris own Warri is incorrect," he said.
He cited a landmark case that defined the criteria for land ownership, noting, "The court held that Olu Ginuwa, the progenitor of the Itsekiri people, did not reach Warri Township. If the Supreme Court has ruled this, it is clear that Warri does not belong to the Itsekiri."
According to Arise TV, he further clarified the administrative distinctions within Warri, stating, "There’s a difference between Warri South Local Government Area and Warri Township, much like the difference between Warri North LGA and Cocoa Township. Due to Warri’s significance, everyone wants to claim it, but there is no ancestral root of any Itsekiri man to Warri Township."
Despite the Itsekiri’s insistence on their historical claim to Warri, the Supreme Court's ruling on December 2, 2022, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delineate electoral wards, has intensified the debate. The Itsekiris view this as an attempt by the Ijaws and Urhobos to gain more power in Warri.
Eric Omare, a lawyer representing the Ijaws of Warri, dispelled rumors of security concerns related to the delineation process. "There is no security threat in Warri. It is one of the safer areas in Nigeria right now," he assured.
Omare highlighted local enthusiasm for the delineation, saying, "Our people are eagerly awaiting this process because it will allow them greater participation in the political process. Our only grievance is that INEC has not promptly complied with the court's judgment."
Omare also addressed the traditional and legal context of the Itsekiri leadership, emphasizing that the title "Olu of Warri" does not imply territorial ownership. "The Delta State Traditional Rulers' law specifies that while he is called the Olu of Warri, he is the traditional ruler of the Itsekiri people, not the entire Warri," he explained.
Okumagba echoed these sentiments, referencing past commissions of inquiry which suggested changing the title from "Olu of Warri" to "Olu of Itsekiri" to alleviate tensions. He concluded by affirming the peaceful state of Warri, "There is no threat or tension in Warri. The town remains peaceful, and all ethnic nationalities are working together towards maintaining harmony."
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