The Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, has stated that the Urhobos were granted land in Warri on condition of service to Itsekiri Monarch.
Edema said this while speaking in a joint interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday about the Warri land tussle.
He said, “The battle over Itsekiri land has always been about our oil, since oil was discovered around 1963 by Chevron. Itsekiri produces over 32% of Nigeria’s oil. I can tell you today Okan has about 88 oil wells, meji has about 63 oil wells, and others.”
Edema explained that the Itsekiri granted the Urhobos land to stay out of their forefathers’ magnanimity.
He said, “The Agbasa people, which are part of the two Urhobos kingdom in Warri South, given land to stay, have grown in wealth, size, and numbers. They now feel buoyant enough to want to challenge their landlord and question the overlordship of the Olu of Warri, a land that was given to them out of magnanimity to stay.
“Urhobos were given land to stay on the condition that they would go to the Olu of Itsekiri to clear grass for him, and they were doing tthat.A Chief testified on oath that they are servants of the Olu and were given all this land to stay on the condition that they would always render services to the Olu of Warri, which they have been doing over the years without any default until 1925, when they started raising their shoulders, saying they would no longer do it.
“In fact, they claimed the land is no longer Itsekiri land, and in the case, the judge stated that the Urhobos have grown in size and numbers and feel they are big enough to challenge the Itsekiri,” Edema added.
In response to the cases, Edema stated, “The Ijaws have been barred from bringing any case against the Itsekiri over ownership of Warri since 1964. In 2012, Justice Marshal barred them again, and in March this year, the case was dismissed.”
Underscoring the long-standing legal recognition of Itsekiri land rights, he said, “We are not speaking as an academic exercise or to brag. It was determined long ago, since 1926, that those in Warri Urban who are not Itsekiri are customary tenants to the Itsekiri. It is the court that said so.”
On a similar note, a member of the Okere Community, Warri, Delta State, Amechi Ogbitse Ogbonna affirmed that Warri belongs to the Itsekiri but clarified, “That doesn’t mean they cannot live together.”
After the Supreme Court ordered the electoral umpire to reassign wards and polling units across Warri South, Warri South West, and Warri North, local government areas. The Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) has initiated a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri federal constituency, Delta State.
Amechi Ogbonna has criticised INEC for its handling of the ward delineation process. “INEC has exhibited bias against the Itsekiri. When a judge gave a ruling in 2003 that the 10 wards should be maintained and the 12 wards are illegal, he named the legitimate wards in Warri South and asked INEC to abide by it. INEC wrote two letters to their office in Asaba, but as I speak, INEC is still operating and conducting elections in the illegal 12 wards. INEC has no regard for the rule of law,” he said.
Ogbonna added, “The Itsekiri are not afraid of delineation. Their complaint is that the two technical heads are from one technical base that is fighting the tribe.”
Further speaking on the Supreme Court judgement, Edema said that the recent court judgement covers the three Warri areas, while the previous judgement on illegal and legal wards covers only Warri South. “What the Itsekiri are saying is that if you want to do delineation in Warri South, which of the former wards are you delineating? Is it the illegal one with 12 wards or the one that has been adjudicated on and declared legal? INEC has refused to say what they want to do. We are not afraid.”
“We will not allow them to harness the Itsekiri land illegally, even if the Delta State government supports them. We cannot be conquered by anybody. It is a statement of fact,” he concluded.
Nancy Mbamalu
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