We won’t allow anyone blackmail Governor Oborevwori - ICC tackles Otofia, Okudolor, Ijabor, Okumagba

The Itsekiri Consultative Congress, ICC, has responded to a publication by Rev. Canon David Otofia, Chief Vincent Okudolor, Hon. Sylvester Ijabor, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba and two others, saying they will not allow “set of persons” blackmail Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori “with lies, fairy tales, and threats”, over alleged marginalization of Urhobos in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Fresh Angle International, understands that Rev. Canon David Otofia, Chief Vincent Okudolor, Hon. Sylvester Ijabor (Leader of Warri South Legislative Arm) Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba and two others, had in an open letter addressed to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and published September 7, 2023, called for: “FAIRNESS, EQUITY, AND JUSTICE OVER THE CONTINUOUS MARGINALIZATION OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF URHOBOS OF WARRI IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTIVE AND APPOINTIVE OFFICES IN WARRI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL”.

The ICC in a rejoinder made available to This Soaring International Tabloid last night, noted: “Let it be on record that the Urhobos of Warri South, have never been/are not being marginalized in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.”

The rejoinder, e-signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ICC, Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin, on behalf of the group, emphasized inter-alia: “It is also pertinent to put on record that the Twelve (12) Federal Wards being used by INEC in Warri South L.G.A that the Urhobos of Warri South are referring, to back up their claims is illegal and has been declared illegal before the 2019 General Elections by a Federal High Court in Warri, with no contrary judgement obtained till date. 

“The Federal High Court in Warri on Tuesday January 17, 2023 re-affirmed its Ruling and Justice Abang clearly noted in his ruling "that it is only committal to jail that will force INEC to revert to the Ten (10) Legal wards.

“The 10 legal Wards in Warri South Constituency I, according to the High Court ruling of Tuesday January 17, 2023 are: Esisi, Okere, Bowen and Pessu, while Warri South Constituency II are: Igbudu, Avenue, Ekurede, Ubeji, Obodo and Ode-Itsekiri Wards.

“We also want to put it on record that the Urhobos of Warri do not own 85% of the Population of Warri South Metropolis or voting strength, and does not occupy 85% of Warri South Metropolis. This can only be the figment of their imagination, or a well calculated attempt to spread falsehood to the General Public. It is also seen by us as a blackmailing tool to arm-twist the Executive Governor of Delta State with the intention to get political patronage which they may not ordinarily deserve. 

“To set the records straight, the Urhobos of Warri are mainly from Igbudu, Agbassa, Idimi-Usobo, Edjeba, Ogunu, Ekurede Urhobo, and Oteghele. 

“While Idimi-Usobo (now referred to as Okere-Urhobo) is a quarter in Okere Community, the others are Lands under the Crown and overlordship of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR the Olu of Warri, as all the lands have been adjudicated on in the last century with judgement given in favour of the Itsekiris.

“For record purpose, it is important to state that Warri South Local Government Area, is the Headquarters of Warri Kingdom, established by His Majesty, Ogiame Ginuwa I around 1480, with Headquarters at Ijala/Ifie Kporo in Warri South Metropolis.

“The Headquarters, was later moved to Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) by His Majesty, Ogiame Ijijen (Ogbowuru) after he succeeded Ogiame Ginuwa I. 

“Till date, the Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery is still located at Ijala/Ifie Kporo in Warri South Metropolis. Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas, are part of Warri Kingdom.

“It is also important to state that before, during, or after the creation of Warri South Local Government Area, the Urhobos of Warri South, like every other ethnic Nationalities in Warri South Metropolis, never contributed either in form of referendum, contribution, or in any other form to the creation of Warri South Local Government Area as they know that it is not their homeland. The creation of Warri South Local Government Area, was midwife, processed and done by the Itsekiri Nation.

“The Itsekiris of Warri South Local Government Area, are mainly from Okere Community, Ajamimogha, Ekurede, Ugbori, Pessu, Ugbuwangue, Ubeji, Egbokodo, Ijala Ikeren, Ifie Kporo, Aja-Etan, Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri), Orugbo, Inorin, Usele, Ajigba, Ugbodede, Ikpisan, Aja Dediare, Ododgene, Orere-Uluba, Aja-Osolo, Ugboritseduwa, Omadino, Obodo, Uwakeno, Ase-Olu, Alders Town, etc just to mention but a few. Despite the overwhelming population and geographical landmass of the Itsekiris in Warri South, political positions have been well shared with the Urhobos of Warri, since the creation of Warri South Local Government Area (as the Itsekiri Nation perceive them (the Urhobos) as our Kiths and Kins due to long history of inter-ethnic marriage, trade, etc).

“We begin to wonder what prompted the fallacious claim of "about 85%" by the Urhobos of Warri South. If they make up about 85%, what percentage then are the Itsekiris, Ibos, Yorubas, Hausas (especially of Hausa quarters), Ibibios, Efiks, Edos, etc living in Warri Metropolis? 

“It is on record that since the creation of Warri South Local Government Area, the Urhobos of Warri, have enjoyed uncommon political fortunes due to the magnanimity of the Itsekiri people (especially when an Itsekiri Son, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan was the Executive Governor of Delta State). Sadly, the magnanimity of the Itsekiris to the Urhobos of Warri South, whom they see as their kiths and kins, mainly due to inter-ethnic marriage, has not been reciprocated by the Urhobos of Delta Central to the Itsekiri Communities in Uvwie, Udu, Ethiope East, Sapele, etc. Despite the aforementioned, the Itsekiri people in these Local Government Areas, have over the years voted massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without enjoying any form of political fortunes in return.

“Notwithstanding the illegality of the Twelve (12) Ward Structure in Warri South Local Government Area, the Itsekiri people have continuously remain peaceful and law abiding, during and after elections, despite being politically disfavored by the illegal Twelve (12) ward structure. We have not threatened that the issue will result to a "Maelstrom".

“While we concede that the Executive Governor of Delta State His Excellency, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has the right and privileged to appoint any deserving Urhobos of Warri South into any position in Government, we will want to emphasize the fact that elective positions are mainly via the ballot box and the Position of the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area will be determined via the ballot box and not the other way round.”

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