Niger Delta Peace Builders (NDPB) Calls for Peace In The Region, Advise MPJND leadership-Okejoto Ezekiel and the ijaws of Benikrukru to stop all blackmail on The Olu of Warri, who is an advocate for peace in the region

We observe with keen interest the events leading to ethnic tension between the Ijaws and the Itsekiris in the Warri South West area. As an organization that prioritizes peace and unity in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Peace Builders, we have conducted our grassroots investigation and discovered the root cause of the ethnic tension between the two ethnic groups in the region. 

The cause of this tension is a marginal oil field leased to Gulf now Chevron Nigeria Limited by the Itsekiris of Deghele and Bateren Communities, whose compensation was halted by the Ijaws of Benikrukru through a court process. 

Immediately after the court decision, which obviously can still be appealed, the Ijaws gave the Itsekiris in Abiteye Community a 48-hour ultimatum to leave the Abiteye flow station or face the consequences of disobedience. This led to a counter-publication by General Iwedundun Akpakpa, leader of the Itsekiri Defense Council (IDC), who also gave his own ultimatum to the Ijaws of Benikrukru, threatening in unprintable words the consequences of an attack on the Itsekiris in their ancestral home. General Iwedundun's publication gave rise to another wave of tension in Warri South West, as a group known as the Movement for Peace and Justice in the Niger Delta (MPJND) has accused the Olu of Warri of being the mastermind behind General Iwedundun's outburst. 

As an organization that prioritizes peace for the purpose of nation-building, we frown at the statement made by the national coordinator of MPJND, Okejoto Ezekiel, which stated that "the Itsekiri king was the brain behind the planned action by his subjects to cause chaos in reaction to the outcome of the land dispute." As peace builders within the Niger Delta region, we understand that the Movement for Peace and Justice in the Niger Delta is an Ijaw faceless organization because you can't be calling for peace while also pointing fingers of accusation. 

The Olu of Warri has been a peace builder in the Niger Delta Region. In the past, we have seen the Olu of Warri paying courtesy visits to an Ijaw king in Patani, where he had a brotherly handshake with the Pere of Gbaramatu and other Ijaw kings. The Olu of Warri has brought pride to the Niger Delta Region to the point where the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, openly acknowledged the Olu's efforts in the cultural development and promotion of Nigeria. A king vast and exposed in that manner is a mentor to all, regardless of tribes. We advise the ijaws to stop all blackmail on the personality of Ogiame, Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of warri, as he is a known lover of peace.

As Niger Deltans, we should always preach peace and unity and learn to obey the law as it concerns us all. In the past, the Ijaws within the three Warri areas were banned by the court in 2013 from laying claims to any land within the three Warri regions. This judgment over time has been disregarded by the Ijaws as they have continually gone to court to dispute land. Yet, the leadership of the Ijaws within the two Warri always ends up parading different court judgments obtained in an era where our judicial system has been compromised. 

Further investigation also shows that the IYE Descendants Union Council of Elders has made a publication that enlightens the public on the necessary information about the court judgments the Ijaws have celebrated. This statement reads: "The court, in delivering its judgment on 31/1/2025, held at page 53 of the judgment (see page 44 of Vanguard dated 12/3/2025) as follows: 'I have looked at the plaintiffs' claim before the court and without any fear of contradiction, the plaintiffs' claims have nothing to do with land ownership or title to land nor compensation related to the 1st Defendant/Respondent's acquisition of land, and I so hold.'" 

This also shows that those who have celebrated with a land-grabbing mindset have indeed interpreted the judgment in the wrong manner due to poor understanding of the law. We would like to use this medium to call the attention of the world to the fact that the Ijaws are not the only ethnic group within the Niger Delta, and they do not speak for the Niger Delta people, the Ijaws have always been at the forefront of violent agitation, illegal oil bunkering, land grabbing without ownership claims, and kidnapping within the region.

 In the Niger Delta Region, we have over 40 ethnic groups that the Ijaws have always tried to silence. These ethnic groups includes  Ikwerre, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ogoni, Ibibio, Efik, Annang, Ndoki, Eket, Bini, Esan, Etsako, Calabar, Ndokwa, Ukwuani, and Andoni, to mention but a few. The Niger Delta Peace Builders (NDPB) are keen on building peace across all ethnic groups within the Niger Delta.

 We are using this medium to call the attention of both the state government led by Governor Sherriff Oborevwori and the federal government of Nigeria led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into these tensions and settle all these disputes. We need peace in the Niger Delta region.

Oritsegbubemi Edema
National Coordinator 
Niger Delta Peace Builders 

Hon. Ibolo Harrison 
Secretary
Niger Delta Peace Builders

Comr. Irabor Akpomiemie
PRO
Niger Delta Peace Builders

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