Urhobo Counter Distorts Narrative, Revealing Facts: Ijaw Do Not Own Any Community in Warri South LGA
The Urhobo nation firmly disputes the narrative that the Ijaw people are indigenous or own land in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, describing such claims as attempts to extort money from their alleged sponsors and eventually creating insecurity in the area.
The Urhobo leaders and representatives from Warri South Local Government Area, Chief West Adehor, and Hon. Mark Ikpuri in a statement issued to counter the false claim and narrative call on government authorities, especially the National Security Adviser and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to rely on verified data and genuine representation to maintain peace and fairness among the ethnic groups in the area.
According to the statement, the Urhobo people of Warri South Local Government Area in Delta State, has publicly countered claims that the Ijaw ethnic group owns land or is indigenous to Warri South, a claim or narrative they described as false and strange in anals history of the area
The Urhobo response comes amid ongoing tensions and conflicting narratives about land ownership, political representation, and ethnic identity within the area
The Urhobo leaders assert that the Ijaw people do not own any land in Warri South LGA.
The only area associated with the Ijaw is Miller Waterside, which they purchased from the Agbassa Warri Urhobo people, this is a case of a land owner and a tenant
They emphasize that the Ijaw have no documented historical or legal claim to any community or ward within Warri South or Warri urban.
The Urhobo nation strongly criticized some individuals like Chief Victor Okumagba, Chief John Erabor, Chief Isaac Emifoniye, and Comrade Stanley Agbosa, accusing them of being self-appointed representatives working for personal gain and allegedly sold out to Ijaw interests.
These individuals are described as not representing the Urhobo people and are called “Enemies of Urhobo” for their role in allegedly ceding Agbarha Warri wards to the Ijaw.
The Urhobo nation has declared Chief Victor Okumagba a persona non grata following his unbecoming conduct and irredeemable show of shame at the office of National Security Adviser in Abuja.
The Urhobo leaders urged the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, not to be misled by these individuals who claim to represent the Urhobo nation.
They called for the NSA to promote justice, equity, and inclusiveness among all ethnic groups in Warri South LGA.
The Urhobo nation commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its ongoing delineation exercise based on verified field data.
They urged INEC to resist political pressure and ensure the final boundaries reflect true demographic and geographical realities.
The Urhobo recall a 2001 appeal by the late Pa E.K. Clark to the Agbassa Urhobo to allow the Ijaw to jointly own a ward, highlighting the Ijaw’s lack of documentation or historical presence in Warri South.
Urhobo communities such as Ogunu, Edjeba, Okere Urhobo, Kpokiti, Otowodo, Odion Urhobo, and Agbarha are cited as well-established, contrasted with the Ijaw’s lack of such recognized communities.
The renowned Urhobo leaders, Chief Westham Adehor and Hon. Mark Ikpuri are the authorized spokesmen for the Urhobos of Warri and they’ve they support of all Urhobo sons, daughters home and abroad
The Urhobo people of Warri local government have expressed disappointment in the activities of Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP; Chief John Eranvor; Chief Isaac Emifoniye; and Comrade Stanley Agbosa, that they do not represent the Urhobo nation rather to cause disunity and pursuing selfish gain agenda.
The group noted that the so-called self appointed respected sons of Urhobo extraction from Warri South LGA, views and opinions do not reflect the Urhobo people, adding that they’re working for personal gains which they must not be taken serious
“The entire Urhobo people believes in the leadership of Chief Westham Adehor and Hon. Mark Ikpuri regarding the status of the Ijaw people within Warri South LGA.”
The Urhobo leadership also noted that the Itsekiri are their neighbor and are a minority group in the Warri South Local Area
The Urhobo group has explicitly denied claims that the Ijaw ethnic group has been historically and constitutionally recognized as part of Warri South Local Government Area (LGA), particularly referencing settlements like Ogbe-Ijoh and other riverine communities.
Ijaw Historical Presence Questioned with the Urhobo group rejecting the assertion that the Ijaw people have an established historical presence in Warri South LGA. They argue that there is no credible historical or constitutional documentation supporting the Ijaw as indigenes of this area.
Urhobo indigeneity emphasized and assert that they are the authentic indigenes of Warri South LGA. They highlight their longstanding contributions to the political, cultural, and economic development of the arew over many decades.
“The claim that Ogbe-Ijoh and other riverine communities belong to the Ijaw is rejected. The Urhobo maintain that these areas are not traditionally Ijaw settlements within the Warri South LGA.”
“Recognition of ethnic groups within Nigerian LGAs often depends on historical settlements, legal documents, and political arrangements. The Urhobo group’s denial suggests that, in their view, the Ijaw lack such formal recognition in Warri South.”
Our correspondent report that the denial impacts ongoing debates about political representation, resource control, and land ownership in Warri South LGA, where ethnic identity plays a crucial role in local governance and community rights.
