By Tunde Oso
The Head of the Association of Urhobo Mayoral Family Crown (AUMFC) and former militant leader, His Excellency Eshanekpe Israel, also known as Akpodoro, has appealed for peace in Okere Urhobo Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He called on all parties involved in the recent tensions in the area to cease hostilities and allow peace to prevail for the benefit of the people’s development and growth.
This call was made in Abuja on Thursday, following reports of a feud between the Urhobo people of Okere Urhobo Kingdom and a group of youths, allegedly of Itsekiri descent, from the same local government area. The altercation escalated when a group of armed youths reportedly stormed Okere Urhobo on Wednesday evening, setting houses ablaze and firing shots into the air. The residents have accused the local government chairman and his predecessor of being behind the violence.
In response to the unrest, Akpodoro called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to swiftly intervene and prevent the situation from escalating further, noting the tragic outcome of previous communal clashes in Okuama Community, which led to the loss of lives. He emphasized the need for immediate action to preserve peace in the area, stating, “Now is the time to rise to the occasion.”
The ex-militant leader stressed that the Urhobo and Itsekiri peoples have coexisted peacefully for over a century, sharing intermarriages and strong community ties. He questioned the motives of any youth group attempting to disrupt this longstanding peace. He also urged the leaders of both communities to ensure that no retaliatory actions are taken, as this could lead to further harm.
“These people are inseparable. There’s no way an Itsekiri man will hurt an Okere Urhobo man without hurting a member of his own family,” Akpodoro stated. He pointed out that the scars of past conflicts involving the Itsekiri, Ijaw, and neighboring communities are still fresh, and it is crucial to avoid any recurrence of such violence.
The Mayor attributed the current crisis to the recent electoral ward delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he believes may have contributed to the tensions. He also called on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to step in and help prevent further escalation.
Akpodoro further appealed to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, an indigene of Itsekiri, to use her influence to restore peace in the region, stressing that the usual government inaction should not apply in this case.
He condemned the threats and counter-threats made by some disgruntled individuals and urged the elders of both communities to step in and guide the youths toward peaceful resolution. He recalled the devastating consequences of past conflicts, particularly the 1990s inter-communal war between the Itsekiri and Ijaw peoples, which caused irreparable harm and loss of life.
“The Urhobos, Ijaws, and Itsekiri know the damage that past avoidable wars have caused,” Akpodoro said. “Peace is what we should all seek, and now is the time for our elders to speak up.”
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