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LETTER TO INEC: “WAR OF TRUTH AND THE WOUND OF LIES” – WHY THE ERA OF MANIPULATION MUST END IN WARRI
Being A Heartfelt Message from the Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency to INEC
Date: July 16, 2025
The truth has bled for too long. Beneath the creeks of Warri, the winds whisper a long-silenced history, yearning to break free from the chains of manipulation and falsehood. We are at a historic crossroad, one that demands courage, not compromise, clarity, not confusion.
For decades, a carefully constructed myth has masqueraded as fact, that the Itsekiris are the sole owners of Warri, that the Olu of Warri is a king over lands and peoples who never pledged him allegiance, that the Ijaws and Urhobos are mere squatters in their ancestral territories. These are not just lies, they are wounds inflicted upon truth and justice.
But time, like history, is a stubborn judge. And the era of fraudulent tactics, deceptive legal gymnastics, historical forgery and ethnic manipulation must give way to fact, to the future, to the spirit of the Nigerian constitution and to the principles of democratic equality.
Let it be known that the Ijaws of Warri were here before the crown arrived, before the Itsekiris crossed the Bight of Benin, and long before British officers drew artificial lines to ease indirect rule. The Olu of Warri, originally styled as Olu of Itsekiri, was never king over Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Isaba, Diebiri, Egbema or the entire Warri mainland. These lands were Ijaw and Urhobo long before they were ever claimed by colonial favor or diplomatic proximity.
In Suit No. W/148/78 (Itsekiri Communal Land v. Chief E.A. Sagay), the court warned against the “excessive territorial assumption” of the Itsekiris and reaffirmed that traditional titles do not translate to land ownership beyond ancestral limits. In the same legal spirit, the Supreme Court has in multiple rulings emphasized the right to self-governance, cultural autonomy and indigenous recognition as protected by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
To silence the voice of indigenous people through cartographic deceit and loud propaganda is not just an injustice, it is a violation of both natural law and constitutional integrity.
The policy of the future, if it is to lead Nigeria into peace and unity, must be founded on historical accuracy, not historical robbery. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once said, “The greatest threat to liberty is not the lawbreaker but the law manipulator.” And Warri has suffered for too long at the hands of law manipulators disguised as landowners, liers with fake identity.
Let us be clear, no manipulation, no lobbyist, no fake census, no manufactured royal claim can stand before the supremacy of truth. The truth is the supreme court over every forgery and no amount of Itsekiri aggression will silence the ancestral voices that still echo from the banks of the Warri River and Land.
Today, we reaffirm that the lands of Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Isaba, Diebiri and Egbema are not Itsekiri. They are Ijaw. And we will defend this truth with facts, with documents, with court judgments and if needed, with our last breath. Truth has no fear. Only lies panic.
To INEC, we say, the time for submission is over. Release the final ward delineation. Stop allowing the ghost of colonial distortion to rule over a democratic commission. The people demand representation based on reality, not repetition of fraud.
To the Federal Government and the National Security Adviser, do not allow yourselves to be used as tools to validate deception. Nigeria belongs to all, not to any manipulative minority.
To the international community, bear witness to a struggle not for domination but for identity. Not for power, but for dignity. Stand on the side of history, not on the side of false royalty.
The Ijaw nation is not seeking war, we are seeking what is ours. We are not rewriting history, we are reopening it. And when history is opened, it will roar like thunder, the Ijaws were never conquered, never displaced, never ruled by the Olu of Warri.
Let every generation remember, you can manipulate land titles but not ancestral truth. You can twist legal language, but not the lineage of a people. You can silence a people temporarily but you cannot silence their God-given identity.
Let Warri breathe. Let truth prevail.
Signed,
Chief Tiemopere Joshua (President)
Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime – Secretary
Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
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BINIKAMAI 2025: CAРТ. ALFRED W. OBONIKA HONOURED AS OSAINTAREWEI OF GRAND IDUWINI KINGDOM CHIEFTAINCY TITLE
Amatu-1, Bayelsa State – November 22, 2025
In a historic and culturally vibrant ceremony, the Grand Iduwini Kingdom has conferred the prestigious chieftaincy title of Osaintarewei of Grand Iduwini Kingdom on Chief (Capt.) Alfred Obonika Waratimi. The honour was bestowed during the 2025 Osuogbosu Binikamai Festival held at Amatu-1 Town in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The revered monarch of the kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Pere Joel Ekeni Ibani JP, Ogiobo-IX, Grand Pere of Iduwini Kingdom, personally performed the conferment rites before an enthusiastic gathering of chiefs, cultural custodians, community leaders, and indigenes.
The event, marked by colourful traditional displays and deep cultural symbolism, underscores the kingdom’s commitment to recognising individuals who have distinguished themselves in service, leadership, and loyalty to the Iduwini heritage.
In his remarks, Chief (Capt.) Alfred Obonika Waratimi expressed profound gratitude for the honour, dedicating it to the people of Iduwini Kingdom and the broader Ijaw Nation. He invoked blessings upon the monarch and the kingdom, praying:
“May the Ascended Masters and Grand Cosmic Beings enfold Ogiobo, Grand Iduwini Kingdom, and the entire Ijaw Nation now and beyond with Light, Life, and Love.”
The 2025 Osuogbosu Binikamai Festival, known for its rich cultural significance, once again highlighted the unity, spiritual strength, and enduring traditions of the Iduwini people.
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ENGR. AMAKUBUKURO CONFERED ‘MIENKIRIGBOLOMOWEI’ OF GRAND IDUWINI KINGDOM, THANKS OGIOBO-IX FOR THE CONFIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Amatu-1, Grand Iduwini Kingdom – In a colourful display of culture, honour, and ancient tradition, renowned technocrat and accomplished Engr. Napoleon Amakubukuro, has been conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of “Mienkirigbolomowei of Grand Iduwini Kingdom” by His Imperial Majesty, Pere Joel Ekeni Ibane, JP during the just concluded Osuogbosu Binikamai Festival held at Amatu-1 town, the ancestral headquarters of the Grand Iduwini Kingdom.
The revered title, Mienkirigbolomowei, meaning “The Diligent One,” is reserved for individuals whose character embodies discipline, integrity, methodical excellence, and unwavering commitment to community upliftment. According to palace insiders, the title aligns perfectly with Engr. Amakubukuro’s reputation as a meticulous, circumspect, and pragmatic professional whose outstanding contributions and personal conduct have earned widespread admiration.
Speaking with deep emotions after the conferment, the newly installed Chief expressed profound gratitude to God Almighty, High Imperial Majesty, the Iduwini Traditional Council of Chiefs, and his immediate family for their prayers, support, and encouragement before and during the historic ceremony. He described the honour as a call to deeper service and reaffirmed his dedication to the growth and unity of all Iduwini people.
The chieftaincy conferment sparked an outpouring of tributes as friends, family, colleagues, and well-wishers flood social media platforms with congratulatory messages, celebrating Engr. Amakubukuro’s deserving recognition and commending his uplifting leadership qualities.
The Osuogbosu Binikamai Festival, one of the most significant cultural events in the Grand Iduwini Kingdom, once again served as a platform to celebrate excellence, heritage, and distinguished personalities whose achievements continue to inspire many.
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IJAW NATION HONOURS FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN ON BIRTHDAY, DESCRIBES HIM AS ‘A SON OF DESTINY’
By: Favour Bibaikefie
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has extended warm felicitations to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as he marks his birthday, describing him as a Statesman whose exemplary leadership and enduring commitment to national unity continue to resonate across Nigeria and beyond.
In a heartfelt tribute issued by the Global President, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, the INC said Jonathan remains a symbol of humility, peace, and democratic integrity whose legacy stands tall in the nation’s political history.
Read the full text of the statement below:
“A Birthday Tribute to a Statesman and a Noble Son of the Niger Delta
“By: Prof. Benjamin Okaba
President, Ijaw National Congress (INC)
“On behalf of the entire Ijaw Nation, both at home and in the diaspora, the Ijaw National Congress extends our warmest felicitations and heartfelt congratulations to our dear son, brother, and father, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, as he marks another year of life and grace.
“Your birthday, Your Excellency, is not merely a personal milestone but a moment of collective celebration for our nation and, most profoundly, for the people of the Niger Delta. You remain a shining symbol of humility, intellectual depth, and unwavering faith, whose journey from the creek communities of the Niger Delta to the pinnacle of Nigerian leadership continues to inspire millions.
“We celebrate you today for the indelible marks you have left on the sands of time. Your tenure as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was distinguished by a profound commitment to democratic ethos, exemplified by your historic act of statesmanship in 2015—an action that profoundly stabilized our nation’s polity and earned you global acclaim as a champion of peace and democracy.
“Your legacy of “One Nigeria,” built on the pillars of unity, inclusivity, and the promotion of national discourse, remains a benchmark for true leadership. Even out of office, you have continued to serve as a beacon of hope, a mediator on the continental stage, and a mentor to a generation of emerging leaders.
“Dr. Jonathan, you are truly a son of destiny, who has proven that greatness is not in the noise one makes, but in the peace one fosters, the lives one touches, and the dignity one upholds.
“As you celebrate today, we pray that the Almighty God continues to bless you with robust health, enduring wisdom, and boundless joy. May He grant you many more fruitful years to continue your invaluable service to humanity.
“Happy Birthday, Mr. President!
“Long live Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan!
Long live the Ijaw Nation!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!”
The Congress prayed for God’s continued guidance, good health, and long life for the former President, noting that his wisdom and moral strength remain invaluable to Nigeria and the African continent. As the Ijaw Nation joins millions across the world to celebrate Dr. Jonathan, the INC, reaffirmed its pride in his achievements and its unwavering support for his ongoing contributions to peacebuiliding and global leadership.