Opinion: The Blood Of Itsekiri And The Peace Of Warri, Is More Valuable Than Political Ambitions

The attention of Comr Lily-white O. Esigbone, a right activist and member of Civil Right Council Nigeria, Warri Branch, has been drawn to the unfortunate statement credited to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, suggesting that his political fortunes in the 2027 general elections take precedence over the peace, stability, and wellbeing of the people of Warri south and warri Federal Constituency.

Such a reckless and self-centered declaration is not only unbecoming of a leader who bears the sacred responsibility of Chief Security Officer of the State but also an insult to the collective sensibilities of the peace-loving people of Warri.

The Governor of Delta State knows the truth that the Ogbe-Ijoh people have no stake or land in warri south, all the cases done from 1964 down to 2025 where both the Ogbe-Ijoh people and their Pere have lost to the Itsekiris, allowing injustice to the Itsekiri for political gains shows that all the Governor cares is the security votes that would come from the crisis, his language have further given the order for the crisis to continue indirectly.

Let it be made abundantly clear: the blood of the Itsekiri people and the peace of Warri cannot and must not be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition. The lives, lands, and heritage of our people are far more valuable than the fleeting gains of partisan politics.

Warri has endured decades of tension, bloodshed, and destabilization arising from reckless utterances and actions of leaders who chose personal interest over justice and fairness. At this delicate moment, when Warri is once again confronted with the dangerous threats of INEC’s controversial and fraudulent ward delineation and orchestrated territorial incursions, the Governor ought to stand as a stabilizer and peacemaker—not as an instigator of fresh conflict.

I therefore call on the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declear a state of emergency in Delta state and remove the Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor should be made to retrace his steps, withdraw his inciting statement, and rise to the sacred duty of protecting all ethnic groups under his charge—without bias or hidden agenda. The hallmark of true leadership is not the pursuit of selfish political advantage but the ability to preserve peace, guarantee justice, and defend the dignity of all people.

The Ogbe-Ijoh people have continued to provoke crisis within warri, to the point that they have left the local government area Gazetted for them to encroach into warri south, they have even went as far as giving the market orders to lock their shop and such orders should come from the local government chairman. 

History will not forgive any leader whose words or actions plunge Warri into another round of avoidable conflict. The choice is yours—to be remembered as a Governor who stood for peace, or one who sacrificed his people for political ambition.

Sent-in by: Comrade Lily-White O. Esigbone, the Minority Indigenous Rights Activist, CRC Warri Branch

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