News
PRESS RELEASE: Itsekiri Plan To Resist Egbema Protest, Senseless; A Ground For Another Crisis In Warri.
Nigerians Should hold Gov. Oborevwori Responsible, Should They Make Good Their Threat.
Being Text Of A Press Release By Egbema Youth Council ( EYC).
The threat by the Itsekiri Consultative Congress led by one Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin, a PDP Stakeholder in Warri North Local Government Area to resist the Egbema Ijaw planned protest against Gov Sheriff Oborevwori’s unjustified exclusion of the Ijaws of Warri North Local Government Area, in nominating two Commissioners from Warri North do not come to us as a surprise. But it’s a further affirmation of their mistaken belief that the Council belongs to only the Itsekiris, yet cannot find the population to make an homogeneous local government. Our population is only good to increase their voting strength but not good for appointment and development!
This, we no longer find shocking anymore.
Protest is a Fundamental Human Right and any group with legitimate reason need is free to do so without any disturbance. In fact the Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed this in the case between Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and others versus the Federal Government of Nigeria, after the Police attacked the the protesting Buhari and his All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) members, on the grounds that they didn’t obtain a police permit before embarking on the protest. The supreme court held that, not only are Nigerians free to embark on protest without any prior notice or permission from security agents, but the police on hearing any protestation MUST provide security cover unsolicited for those protesting. It’s therefore, a settled matter by law. We need not take permission from the Itsekiris or the apparently bias government Sheriff Oborevwori (whom by his act we won’t be wrong to deem the in this matter), and a suspected enemy of the progress to the development of Egbema Ijaw people.
We would not have responded to the publication of the Itsekiri group issued on Thursday, July 20, 2023, but we are doing so, to put the records straight for the general public and as a notice to the whole world that, that publication we saw has all the imprematu of Government support for the aggression from our Itsekiris neighbors of Warri North. The quest waiting for an answer remains; will the Government of Rt. Hon. Oborevwori now be the enabler of the aggressions and avoidable violence in Delta State? One of the governor’s aide was busy circulating the offensive story of the Itsekiri group to resist us. What are they resisting us for? For demanding for Justice in Warri North, from a government we all worked hard to install?
We want to put on record that “history does not repeat itself but people do repeat history.” We want the unguided Itsekiri group to read the history of the Warri crisis. *What caused the Warri crisis? It was the unjust relocation of a local Government headquarters created for the Ijaws of (present day Warri South West LGA) and the burning down of Chief E. K. Clark building by a group of Itsekiris mercenaries at his Warri GRA home when the Ijaws protested against the unjust relocation. The Ijaws protested against the government at the time and not Itsekiri people. So, what was the offense of the Ijaws? “A dog that wants to get lost in the jungle, will never hearken to the voice of the hunter”. This is the case of the government of Oborevwori with this brazen injustice with his adamance to reverse himself, even when he has been ask(ed) to reverse do so.
*We therefore, want to put on record that our planned protest is NOT against Itsekiri people of Warri North but the Delta State Government of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori* and so, there’s no need for any group to make the threat to attack us. Whichever group decides to do so should be very ready as we won’t bow to cheap blackmail by mischief makers, not even the Governor.
Now, the issues raised in their publication are resources Itsekiris spent on the election. Their claim to have spent more resources in terms of money is to stand truth on the head. Most of the money spent came from the State PDP, via the Government and individuals donations on the side of Ijaws and the Itsekiris. If more Itsekiris contributed, it means they are men favoured by successive governments to the detrimental perennial abandonment of the Ijaws. The Itsekiris were contestants to the House of Assembly and Senate from the council. So, when you contest election it’s expected that more fund(s) will come from your end. The second issue raised is Votes cast. Let the Itsekiris state the votes during the Presidential Election and the Senate. The true figure of votes in accordance with BVAS is there, which is expository to their bloated voter population. We will not say anything about the Governorship because we know what happened and especially since the matter is before the court.
*Our Resolved Position:*
a. That we have four Federal Wards in Warri North as against the Itsekiri Six Federal Wards an as such they cannot take the two Commissioners slot in Warri North.
b. That it’s against the Federal Character principle as provided in *Chapter II, section 13 subsection 4 of the 1999 constitution.* The essence is to avoid the dominance of one ethnic group at the government level.
c. That we gave Gov Oborevwori our four wards in the election just as Itsekiris gave their six wards, and hence we deserve the fruit of our labour.
d. That the votes that came from Warri North are collective votes and as such the government must reflect that collective nature, and cannot alienate us by giving the two Commissioners slot to only Itsekiris who already have the State House of Assembly member. These are very clear issues.
e. That the Itsekiris constantly having the state assembly member and even now cannot in all fairness have both commissioners.
f. That politics is a game of interest but perennially ignoring the interest of your neighbours is witchcraft and a call to anarchy.
The DSS and the government knows that our agitation is justified except the mischief makers who are bent on a direction to cause trouble.
Therefore, by asking the DSS to arrest Egbema Right Activist, Francis Abulu Esq. is to stand the truth on the head and to further exacerbate the problem.
Therefore, we submit that “peaceful rebellion becomes a lawful thing when it’s against oppression.” Our protest is against the Government of Sheriff Oborevwori and not Itsekiris, and must hold except Mr. Governor do the needful.
Signed:
Comr. City Kelvin Eferusuoa, President Egbema Youth Council ( EYC)
Mr. Ekpokeme Governor, Secretary Egbema Youth Council (EYC).
News
GOV OBOREWORI BOOSTS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH 65 LAND CRUISERS TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS PEACE
By: Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has handed over 65 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers to traditional rulers across the state in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and rural security coordination.
Presenting the vehicles in Asaba, the state government said the gesture reflects the administration’s recognition of the strategic role traditional institutions play in maintaining social stability, mediating communal disputes, and fostering collaboration between communities and government agencies.
The governor described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in sustaining harmony in rural areas, noting that enhanced mobility would enable quicker engagement with communities, faster response to emerging tensions, and closer cooperation with security operatives.
“This intervention is part of our people-centered leadership approach. It is a deliberate effort to build lasting peace and sustain the achievements of our MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori stated, emphasizing that development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace.
Government officials explained that the vehicles would improve accessibility across difficult terrains, enable traditional leaders to attend to community matters more efficiently, and reinforce the interface between grassroots institutions and the state.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative as timely, especially as many rural communities rely heavily on traditional institutions for conflict resolution, cultural administration, and early warning mechanisms in times of tension.
With the distribution of the Land Cruisers, the Oborevwori administration says it remains committed to deepening rural engagement, strengthening local leadership structures, and advancing its peace-building framework across Delta State.
IduwiniVoice
By: Derick Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, 12 January 2026 — A Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to political actors in Rivers State to end the ongoing crisis that has deeply affected governance and public confidence in the oil-rich state.
Headed by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, the Committee was inaugurated on 12th January 2026 to “explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end,” a crisis, the Committee noted, that “has persisted for too long.”
In a statement at the inauguration, Chief Agabi said the Committee was privileged to serve and expressed gratitude to God and PANDEF leadership, particularly Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, and His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass. The statement described Sir Diete Spiff as “a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt,” adding that “it is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area.”
Highlighting the gravity of the state’s political stand-off, the Committee warned that continuing conflict could erode confidence in the political actors’ commitment to the “interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation.”
Using a local proverb to caution against self-destructive disputes, the statement urged caution: “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster … The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.”
Chief Agabi expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved without external intervention, arguing that “the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one” and urging humility: “If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
The Committee called for goodwill and prayer, countering the often-held view that religion has no place in politics. The statement read: “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation … Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators … it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions.”
On the key figures involved in the crisis, Chief Agabi spoke personally of both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Governor Fubara, saying: “The Minister … is my friend. He is my benefactor.… The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation … I trust [Governor Fubara] to respect that bond.”
The Committee also extended respect to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, praying for “a change of heart on their part” and urging them that “in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed … they will demonstrate … restraint, … public spirit and … maturity.”
Concluding its charge, the Committee emphasized that it was not a judicial body, but an appeal for unity: “This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment … Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another… We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation… Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.”
By: Divine Perezide
Warri, Delta State — Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency and surrounding environment are set to witness the public presentation of a new book titled “Warri Federal Constituency Delineation: Itsekiri & the Challenge of Sustaining the Burden of Lies”, authored by M. Keme.
The event, being organized by Niger Delta Scholars on behalf of stakeholders in the constituency, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Warri, with proceedings commencing at 11:00am.
According to the organizers, the book interrogates historical and contemporary issues surrounding the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, with particular focus on the Itsekiri ethnic group and the socio-political narratives that have shaped representation over the years.
The public presentation will be chaired by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who is expected to lend scholarly insight into the relevance of the publication to ongoing debates in Niger Delta politics.
The book will be formally reviewed by noted academic Professor Benedict Binebai, providing an evaluative perspective on the text and its contributions to regional political discourse.
The organizers have issued an open invitation to scholars, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the general public to attend the presentation ceremony. Enquiries and confirmations can be directed to the official RSVP line: 08023865232.
The forthcoming launch is anticipated to spark renewed intellectual and civic engagement on constituency delineation, ethnic relations, and democratic representation in the Niger Delta.