TENSION IN WARRI: Mulade Calls on Gov. Oborevwori to Intervene; Appeals to Stakeholders to Embrace Peace

A renowned peace, justice and environmental advocate, Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State to act swiftly in addressing the current tension among the three ethnic nationalities of Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw in the Warri Federal Constituency before the tension degenerates into a full blown crisis.

Mulade's call comes on the heels of recent reports of heightened tension between Itsekiri and Ijaw youths over the alleged removal by the former, of the 10th coronation anniversary banners of the Pere Ama-Okosuwei of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Monbene III, from strategic locations in Warri Metropolis on Tuesday.

The United Nation's peace ambassador, who noted that the recent tension in the Warri constituency resulted from the recent ward delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), called on the Governor to initiate a dialogue to foster peace and unity in Warri Area.

He also charged the security agencies of government to rise up to the occasion, to be professional in their duties and not allow themselves to be used by those who do not mean well for the growth and development of the State, particularly Warri and its environs.

He said, "I call on the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration to act swiftly to tackle this brewing tension before it escalates to a full blown crisis," and added, "The government is for all. So Governor Oborevwori should, if there is need, come down to Warri and have a town hall meeting with all relevant stakeholders in the communities in Warri, to interact with the traditional rulers and other major stakeholders."

"I call on the security agencies of the state and the federal government to move in swiftly to nip the tension in the bud so that it doesn't escalate. The relevant security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, need to be professional, should not create a wrong impression that people can use them to perpetrate their selfish interests," he cautioned.

Speaking further, he said, "The traditional rulers in the area should also call their subjects to order irrespective of every provocative actions. Peace is better than violence and at this moment, what we want is peace and unity for the sake of development," he noted. 

Mulade, who is the Ibe-Serimowei of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, cautioned the youths to refrain from acts that could jeopardize the investment efforts of Delta State, as well as  government's infrastructural strides. He also charged the INEC to finally resolve the pending Ward delineation issues relating to the Warri Federal Constituency.

"There has been relative peace all this while, and that is why we are able to talk of infrastructural development so that investors and more companies carry on their projects. But if there is crisis, those constructions, all the State Government projects will be halted, and we don't need that," he said.

"Therefore the youths should not give room to violence or be used to foment crisis in the state. They should know at this stage that peace is more golden than conflicts," Mulade stressed.

"Lastly I urge INEC to close out this Warri ward delineation because that is the root cause of this fresh phase of ethnic violence that is breeding in the area of recent. So, the INEC and the federal government must be neutral and comply in line with the Supreme Court judgment and close out these issues so that we can put them behind us," Mulade advised.