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Warri tension escalates: Ogbe-Ijoh youths accuse council chair, Itsekiri group of plotting crisis in Warri.
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Market dispute sparks row: Youths vow to resist moves to rename historic Ogbe-Ijoh market.
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Call for intervention: Group urges Sheriff Oborevwori to step in and prevent unrest.
Tension is rising in Warri as the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Youth Council accused the Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Mr Agbateyiniro Weyinmi, and an Itsekiri youth group of plotting to trigger fresh ethnic unrest.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Victor Akemotubo, and Secretary, Comrade Randy E. Ayeotu, the group described an alleged meeting involving Ugbarajo Itsekiri youths as provocative and capable of destabilising the fragile peace in the area.
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“A reckless and misleading statement arising from a purported meeting of Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth… where they conspired among themselves to cause another ethnic unrest in Warri and its environs,” the statement read.
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The council further accused the council chairman of taking sides in the lingering tensions between Itsekiri and Ijaw groups, alleging misuse of public resources.
“It is most unfortunate that the Warri South Council Chairman has been in the centre of recent Itsekiri and Ijaw conflicts… where Council’s resources meant for development are channelled to prosecute ethnic war against other tribes,” the group stated.
Raising concerns over the identity of the Ogbe-Ijoh market, the youths insisted the market predates colonial rule and remains officially recognised in government records.
“The Ogbe-Ijoh market is one of the oldest in Nigeria… recognised by the Colonial Government… and recorded under the Delta State Ministry of Trade and Commerce,” the statement added.
They warned that any attempt to alter the market’s name or remove its signage would be resisted.
“We will resist any attempt to remove the said sign post in the market,” the youths declared.
The group also alleged that moves to change the market’s identity were influenced by the Itsekiri monarch, accusing local authorities of acting under external pressure.
While reaffirming their commitment to peaceful coexistence, the youths cautioned against actions capable of reigniting ethnic tensions in the oil-rich city.
They called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene and caution the council chairman.
“We wish to call on H.E. Sheriff Oborevwori to call the Chairman of Warri South Local Government to order before he plunges Warri and its environs into another war,” the statement concluded.