A group under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Warri and Environs have called for the renaming of the Olu of Warri title to Olu of Itsekiri.
The group made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu while copying Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
In the letter signed by Ebiowei Kuro and Ovo Rukevwe, President and Secretary, respectively, the group said the renaming of the title from Olu of Itsekiri to Olu of Warri in 1952 by Obofemi Awolowo was solely politically motivated and not a unilateral agreement.
They argued that Warri is not occupied by Itsekiris alone, which makes the Olu of Warri title an imposition on Ijaws and Urhobos, all aborigines of the metropolis.
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They emphasized that the restoration of the old title was important for the sustenance of peace and peaceful coexistence in Warri.
The letter titled “RE: Urgent Need To Correct The Misleading Title “Olu Of Warri” To “Olu Of Itsekiri” To Address The Lingering Threat to Peaceful Coexistence Among Aborigines Of Warri”, reads;
Your Excellency,
We write to you with deep concern and patriotic intent as indigenous stakeholders and citizens of Warri Federal Constituency, comprising the Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities This letter is a call for historical correction, legal justice, and sustainable peace in our beloved Delta State.
THE MISLEADING TITLE “OLU OF WARRI” AND ITS IMPACT
It is an undeniable historical fact that the traditional ruler of the Itsekiri people was originally and appropriately titled “Olu of Itsekiri.” This reflected his true authority solely over the Itsekiri ethnic group and their settlements, particularly in Ode-Itsekiri (Iwerre).
However, in 1952, during the regional administration led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the title was unilaterally changed to “Olu of Warri” without the consent of the other indigenous ethnic nationalities of Warri.
This politically motivated alteration was done to elevate Itsekiri influence over the territories and people of Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri Federal Constituency, who have never been subjects of the Olu and who possess their own kingship institutions, territories and historical identity.
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THE PROBLEM AND ITS DAMAGING EFFECTS
Since the unauthorized change of this traditional title, the Itsekiri nation has used it:
1. To falsely project the Olu of Warri as the ruler of all Warri people.
2. To propagate the harmful narrative that Ijaws and Urhobos are “tenants” or “slaves” in Warri, an idea that is not only untrue but also offensive and divisive.
3. To cause confusion among external observers, who now wrongly believe that the Olu is the paramount ruler of Warri as a whole, a claim that has no legal, cultural, or territorial basis.
These actions continue to create tension, undermine peaceful coexistence, and amount to a gross misrepresentation of the multi-ethnic identity of Warri Federal Constituency.
LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS
The continued use of the title “Olu of Warri” is also in clear violation of the Delta State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, which requires that:
1. Traditional titles must reflect the ethnic and territorial jurisdiction of the titleholder.
2. No traditional ruler can be imposed or presented as sovereign over multiple distinct ethnic groups without legal and cultural consent.
3. The Traditional Rulers Council must operate in a manner that fosters harmony and respects the diversity of the state.
OUR DEMANDS: RESTORATION OF THE TRUTH
In light of the above, and in the interest of truth, fairness, and unity, we respectfully urge Your Excellency to take the following actions:
1. Direct the Delta State House of Assembly to initiate amendments to the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law of Delta State to correct the erroneous and politically manipulated title from “Olu of Warri” to “Olu of Itsekiri,” or “Olu of Iwerre,” or “Olu of Ode-Itsekiri,” in accordance with historical truth and cultural boundaries.
2. Ensure that all references to the Olu’s title in government documents, communications, and traditional councils reflect this correction.
3. Caution traditional institutions and media within and outside Delta State against promoting or reinforcing this false title in ways that undermine the dignity of other indigenous groups of the Warri Federal Constituency.
A CALL FOR TRUTH AND PEACE
Your Excellency, this appeal is not an attempt to create ethnic division but a call for historical accuracy, constitutional justice, and peacebuilding. If these issues are not addressed proactively, they risk escalating into avoidable conflicts, fueled by feelings of dispossession, marginalization, and ethnic misrepresentation.
Let us act now, not only in the name of history but for the sake of peaceful coexistence, good governance, and the unity of Delta State.
CONCLUSION
We affirm that Warri belongs to its three indigenous ethnic nationalities: the Ijaw, the Urhobo, and the Itsekiri. No one group has the exclusive right to assume sovereign authority over the others.
We trust in your commitment to equity, justice, and peaceful governance.
This issue affects the dignity and future of the Ijaw and Urhobo peoples of Warri, and we believe it is time to end the lies, correct the records, and move forward as a truly inclusive state.
We await your urgent and positive response.
Respectfully,
Ebiowei Kuro
President
Ovo Rukevwe
Secretary
Concerned Citizens of Warri and it Environs.
