NewStats: 3,261,118 , 8,173,070 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 09:24 AM 74t3d

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned against the deliberate distortion of historical and legal facts concerning traditional leadership structures in Warri, Delta State, describing recent attempts to extend the authority of the Olu of Warri over Ijaw territories as unlawful and provocative.

Relying on existing legal frameworks and historical precedent, HURIWA has affirmed that the Olu of Warri’s jurisdiction, as prescribed by law, is restricted exclusively to the Itsekiri kingdom. The association called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to respect the distinct traditional institutions of the Ijaw people in Warri metropolis and across Delta State.

Citing the Western Region Laws of Nigeria No. 177 of 1955, the Chiefs Law of 1957 (Cap. 19), the Bendel State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict (B.S.L.N 44 of 1979), and the Delta State Traditional Rulers, Council and Chiefs Law (Cap. T3, 2006), HURIWA maintained that these laws clearly define the Olu of Warri as the prescribed authority only over Itsekiri lands. The association emphasized that the Ijaw kingdoms of Gbaramatu, Egbeoma, Isaba, and Ogbe-Ijoh are autonomous and governed by their respective traditional rulers.

“The legal history is not ambiguous,” HURIWA stated. “From the Western Region era to the present-day Delta State legislation, the law has consistently affirmed that the Olu’s traditional authority does not extend beyond Itsekiri areas. The Chiefs Law of 1957 explicitly excludes Ijaw territories from his jurisdiction.”

The group also referenced the 2006 compilation of Delta State laws, which recognizes four distinct clans within Warri metropolis: Itsekiri (under the Olu), Okere-Urhobo (under the Orosuen), Agbassa (under the Ovie), and Ogbe-Ijoh (under the Amaokosu). This interpretation was recently reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/AS/441/2016, delivered on June 5, 2023.

“The court judgment reinforces what the law has always stated: that each clan within Warri metropolis retains its traditional autonomy under its respective leadership. Any claim that attempts to impose the Olu’s authority over Ijaw areas is not only unfounded but also a clear violation of the law,” HURIWA added.

The association condemned ongoing narratives that seek to subjugate Ijaw kingdoms under the Olu’s authority, branding such attempts as “revisionist and inflammatory.” It warned that further provocations could incite unrest and undermine the fragile unity among indigenous ethnic groups in Warri and Delta State at large.

HURIWA described the Ijaw kingdoms as sovereign and self-governing, maintaining unique cultural and religious practices. The association reaffirmed its for the Ijaw people’s right to self-determination within the constitutional and traditional frameworks of Nigeria.

“We stand with the Indigenous People of Ijaw in Delta State in their call for mutual respect, legal clarity, and the upholding of traditional boundaries,” the statement read. “The Olu of Warri, originally the Olu of Itsekiri, must operate within the confines of his jurisdiction as defined by law.”

The human rights advocacy group also called on the Delta State Government, the National Council of Traditional Rulers, and the relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that no individual or group violates these established legal boundaries. It urged all traditional institutions to promote peaceful coexistence based on mutual recognition and legal truth.

Warri, HURIWA noted, is home to multiple indigenous groups whose rights and identities must be safeguarded against any form of encroachment or historical distortion. “It is not a domain for any one ethnic group to claim supremacy,” the group emphasized.

HURIWA concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defending the cultural heritage and traditional rights of all indigenous communities in Nigeria, while calling for peaceful dialogue and strict adherence to the rule of law in all matters concerning traditional leadership.

*Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko*
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
May 24, 2025

https://leaders.ng/2025/05/24/huriwa-cautions-against-distorting-traditional-jurisdictions-in-warri-warns-against-encroachment-on-ijaw-kingdoms/

Weting concern IPOB organization with the Warri issue?

Okay

Warri is itsekiri land. It has always been Olu of Warri or Olu of Iwerre from time immemorial. Even Warri itself is a corruption of the word Iwerre.

Anyway, this is what happens when you make visitors too comfortable in your homes. They would not only demand your lands, they would also ask to take over your bedroom.

Our traditional system has been politicized, hence anyone in power can do anything and nothing happens.

CommonSense1967:
Weting concern IPOB organization with the Warri issue?

Must you bring ipob into everything?

Joecap:

Must you bring ipob into everything?

The man is an IPOB conman masquerading as a human rights organization. It's nothing but a one-man IPOB con artist.

Let's maintain peace and love. No one is taking this lands where, the lands will outlive all of us. Let there be peace.

What is the business of this ibo group in the affairs of Warri?

CommonSense1967:


The man is an IPOB conman masquerading as a human rights organization. It's nothing but a one-man IPOB con artist.

I know you always find it difficult to read.
Otherwise you would have taken time to go through the write-up before embarrassing your self.

Wetin concern Onwubiko with Itsekiri and Ijaw matter?

CommonSense1967:
Weting concern IPOB organization with the Warri issue?

This is how they were holding IPOB meetings in that same Warri before youths went in there and flogged them with bamboo sticks.

Chegesnd:


I know you always find it difficult to read.
Otherwise you would have taken time to go through the write-up before embarrassing your self.

If e pain you, go and take medication for your problem. I know what the IPOB conman is all about. Go and read about him and his antecedents, then come back for more education.

chopnaira:
Warri is itsekiri land. It has always been Olu of Warri or Olu of Iwerre from time immemorial. Even Warri itself is a corruption of the word Iwerre.

Anyway, this is what happens when you make visitors too comfortable in your homes. They would not only demand your lands, they would also ask to take over your bedroom.

Is this not we are saying then that calling Lagos no man's land is wrong and unacceptable? But you obidient were ing the madness simply you hate Tinubu now it's your Warri and you are upset ba?

Imagine how they want to tear Warri to pieces for just no reason hw can Warri have 4 monarch at a time andd what is the populatin of Warri?

In life when you point a finger to someone the remaining 4 fingers is pointng back to you. Asaba "no man's land" slogan is loading soon eyes go turn you all.

The land grabber ipob will soon be here and carry this matter on their heads like crayfish they willl never mind their business.

OkayDaddy:


This is how they were holding IPOB meetings in that same Warri before youths went in there and flogged them with bamboo sticks.

Good.

chopnaira:
Warri is itsekiri land. It has always been Olu of Warri or Olu of Iwerre from time immemorial. Even Warri itself is a corruption of the word Iwerre.

Anyway, this is what happens when you make visitors too comfortable in your homes. They would not only demand your lands, they would also ask to take over your bedroom.

There's a difference between Iwerre and Warri. Let the olu of itsekiri change his title to Olu of Iwerre

Ikaeniyan0:
There's a difference between Iwerre and Warri. Let the olu of itsekiri change his title to Olu of Iwerre

What is the difference between Iwerre and Warri? Is Bini also different from Benin?

Ikaeniyan0:
There's a difference between Iwerre and Warri. Let the olu of itsekiri change his title to Olu of Iwerre

Abeg leave that sheke man make he dey deceive himself.

CommonSense1967:


The man is an IPOB conman masquerading as a human rights organization. It's nothing but a one-man IPOB con artist.

You mean HURIWA is not a group but a man?

chopnaira:
Warri is itsekiri land. It has always been Olu of Warri or Olu of Iwerre from time immemorial. Even Warri itself is a corruption of the word Iwerre.

Anyway, this is what happens when you make visitors too comfortable in your homes. They would not only demand your lands, they would also ask to take over your bedroom.

Quoted from: Nigerian Perspectives: A Historical Anthology By Thomas Hodgkin (page 92), Published 1960

“The Agbarha Urhobo and Ijaws were there in 1502-1505. Ginuwa had not arrived. The unassailable conclusion is that he was still wandering. Even much later in the 18th century when Adams found the Itsekiris it was not in Warri that we know today it was at Ode-Itsekiri which he called a beautiful Island. Mr. Pretheroe, istrative Officer in his Assessment Report on Warri Township, that is New Warri as the European area covered by Lease B2 was called, refers to an original Ijaw settlement within the Township after which that portion of today’s Warri retains its name. It goes on outside the Township boundary to discuss the “Old Established Sobo hamlet of Agbassa and the more recent Jekri village of Okere. “CSO.26/3, File 20653.”

Stop spinning lies on a public forum. The Urhobos were the ones who gave you land and accepted you to be their neighbors. Since you guy were originally from Yoruba, how did you get land in the Niger Delta?

The Olu of itsekiri palace in Warri, belongs to another man. How can’t you guys know your history? Warri comprises of different ethnicities, how can you lay claim to it? Disgusting and pathetic mentality of a people!

Joecap:

You mean HURIWA is not a group but a man?

Yes, he's just hiding under a human rights group; it's a one-man shop. It's a front, there's nothing about human rights in his usual cacophony.

chopnaira:
Warri is itsekiri land. It has always been Olu of Warri or Olu of Iwerre from time immemorial. Even Warri itself is a corruption of the word Iwerre.

Anyway, this is what happens when you make visitors too comfortable in your homes. They would not only demand your lands, they would also ask to take over your bedroom.

You Itsekiris keep bringing up this stupid narrative of being a landlord to a land you wandered all the way from the forest of south-west to. Warri is in South-south and it's made up of three different tribes who wandered from their various aboriginal soil and met themselves in the land. The thing is, they settled at different hemisphere of the land. The Urhobos settled in southern warri where they presently dominated, while the Ijaws settled around the water creeks of Warri as a result of their fishing culture. The Itsekiris mostly settled in the hinterland and due to their advantage of being more civilized and politically inclined with the whites, they were privileged to control the economic, political and cultural space of the land, Warri. But now, the reality from the woken class of the other tribes have come to play in this 21st century....and they are set to take back what has been robbed off from them all these years. The Olu of warri ought to have been the Olu of itsekiri where they are mostly dominated in the warri axis. The old ward delineation was crookedly and politically influenced by the Itsekiri to their favour. Infact, of all the tribes in Warri, the Itsekiri are the least populated, hence they are minority. Have you ever seen a minority tribe claiming ownership to a particular place before. The moment of truth is here and the Itsekiris have to wake up from their slumber.

HURIWA is the Ipob media wing run by a man called Onwubiko

Christistruth00:
HURIWA is the Ipob media wing run by a man called Onwubiko

Can you please stick to the topic.

Chucks13:


Is this not we are saying then that calling Lagos no man's land is wrong and unacceptable? But you obidient were ing the madness simply you hate Tinubu now it's your Warri and you are upset ba?

Imagine how they want to tear Warri to pieces for just no reason hw can Warri have 4 monarch at a time andd what is the populatin of Warri?

In life when you point a finger to someone the remaining 4 fingers is pointng back to you. Asaba "no man's land" slogan is loading soon eyes go turn you all.

The land grabber ipob will soon be here and carry this matter on their heads like crayfish they willl never mind their business.

Have you even been to warri before to see the demography of the people living there?