Subject: Strong Condemnation of Baseless Allegations by the Ijaws of Egbema Against INEC Staff in Ward Delineation Exercise

CONCERNED ITSEKIRIS OF WARRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

The Chairman,

Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC),

Plot 436 Zambezi Crescent,

Maitama District,

P.M.B 0184,

Abuja, Nigeria.

Dear Sir,

Subject: Strong Condemnation of Baseless Allegations by the Ijaws of Egbema Against INEC Staff in Ward Delineation Exercise:

We, the Itsekiri people of Warri North Local Government Council in Delta State, specifically Abiugborodo Community, Ureju community rightful owners of areas falsely claimed communities express our vehement condemnation of the spurious and unfounded allegations made by the Ijaws of Egbema against your esteemed INEC staff.

The claims that accuse INEC officials of colluding with the Itsekiri to alter village names to Itsekiri names are not only baseless but also malicious and unthinkable. It is imperative to categorically state that the areas visited and documented in the ongoing ward delineation exercise are legitimately and historically Itsekiri territories.

This fact is irrefutably supported by age long historical fact and valid land title documents. We have long anticipated that a day would come when the rightful ownership of these areas, which were forcibly taken during and after the Warri crises, would be brought to light and scrutinized. The specific areas mentioned by the Ijaws in their petition as being aided by INEC staff to change to Itsekiri territories are unequivocally our ancestral lands.

The villages in question had their names unjustly altered from Itsekiri names to Ijaw names during or after the Warri crises. The original and rightful names are as follows:

1. UBEMANGO, changed by Ijaws to Opia

2. ORUMAGADA, changed by Ijaws to Asisbotie

3. AYONGHOFAREN, changed by Ijaws to Ayonhogbene

4. AJA-IDE, changed by Ijaws to Idebagbene

5. ORIEOKE, changed by Ijaws to Erekon and so many others

It is important to underscore that these Ijaw names and assets are recent fabrications that have no historical basis in the maps of Midwest, Bendel, or Delta State. We, the Itsekiri, are resolute in our support of the delineation exercise and commend INEC for the meticulous and professional manner in which it has been conducted.

The process thus far has demonstrated a high level of integrity and neutrality, attributes that are essential for the credibility of such a significant exercise. We expect and trust that this process will continue to uphold neutrality and integrity, free from any undue influence or false claims.

The allegations brought forward by the Ijaws are not only a gross misrepresentation of facts but also an attempt to discredit the diligent work being carried out by INEC. The Itsekiri community cannot and will not stand by while such baseless accusations are made.

It is essential to highlight that the entire exercise is being conducted based on concrete and verifiable evidence and as directed by GPS to accurate mapping and agelong cartographic boundaries marked and layed out even before independence. We advise the Ijaws to start looking for concrete proof of land ownership, not through coercion or manipulation and falsehood.

While it is not our intent to single out any specific INEC staff member, we must acknowledge the diligent efforts of the whole INEC staffs involved in the delineation exercise. The entire exercise has been conducted with the utmost professionalism, relying on incontrovertible evidence of presented by well-established coordinates and legal mappings by the federal government of Nigeria. The historical ties of the Itsekiri people to the mentioned territories are well-documented and cannot be negated by recent and unfounded claims.

The changes in the village names to Ijaw names were a direct consequence of the Warri crises in the mid 90s, a period marked by conflict and territorial grabbing. It is a matter of public record that these territories have always been intrinsic to the Itsekiri heritage and culture. The spurious allegations by the Ijaws of Egbema are not only an affront to the Itsekiri people but also an attack on the credibility and integrity of the INEC staff involved in the delineation exercise. It is disheartening to see such baseless accusations being used as a tool to undermine a process that is critical to the democratic framework of our nation.

The Itsekiri people have always been advocates for peace, justice, and fairness, and we will continue to uphold these principles in the face of unwarranted allegations. Furthermore, the attempt to rewrite history by altering the names of our ancestral villages is not only disrespectful but also an egregious affront to our heritage. The Itsekiri names of these villages have been in existence for centuries, long before the Warri crises.

The recent attempts by the Ijaws to rename these villages are a direct violation of our cultural and historical identity. The Itsekiri people have always taken pride in our rich cultural heritage, and we will not stand idly by while our history is being distorted. We call upon INEC to take a firm stand against these baseless allegations and to ensure that the delineation exercise is conducted with the utmost fairness and impartiality.

The integrity of this process is crucial not only for the Itsekiri people but for maintaining the trust and confidence of all.

Signed;

Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin (ECO)

Cordinator

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