Chief Godspower Gbenekama, is one of the highest ranking traditional rulers in Gbaramatu kingdom. In this interview with Shola O’Neil, he vowed that the Ijaws would continue to maintain the peace, but refuse to rule his kinsmen stopping oil flow over delay in implementing new ward structures in Warri LGAs.
On INEC’s Ward Delineation Process
The Itsekiris fully agreed to the INEC delineation process and even nominated three representatives to work with the commission on July 11, 2024. Each ethnic group—Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw—took INEC officials to their respective areas for verification. INEC then returned to its headquarters to conclude the exercise.
All three groups participated till the end. In fact, we wrapped up the process on April 4 this year. That’s why I’m surprised that the Itsekiris are now attempting to shift the goalpost midway.
On Attempts to Link Delineation to Land Ownership
The Itsekiris are trying to turn a straightforward electoral issue into a land ownership battle. But delineation has nothing to do with land. You vote where you live. If an Ijaw man lives in Effurun, he registers and votes there, it doesn’t make the land his.
As for claims about land ownership and court victories, those are mere fabrications. The same government process that recognized the Olu of Warri also acknowledges that the kings of Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, and Egbema are independent and not under the Olu’s authority.
Years ago, we in Gbaramatu boycotted politics for eight years out of anger. In that time, the Itsekiris used politics to their advantage, even creating electoral wards in villages that barely existed. But times have changed. Our population has grown massively, and population is political power. The average Ijaw family is large—many of our men have several wives and numerous children. Meanwhile, most Itsekiri men are monogamous, so their population growth is slower. That’s the reality they don’t want to admit.
On Rising Tension Over the Delineation
Tension is rising simply because the outcome does not favour the Itsekiris. In the past, they manipulated the system and created wards in non-existent communities. This time, the process was transparent, and it exposed the truth. Now they’re resorting to provocation.
We even heard about an Itsekiri man in the British Army arrested for gun-running. Reports suggest the weapons were meant to be used against the Gbaramatu people because of this delineation. But let me be clear—there will be no war in Warri. Even if they provoke us, we will not fight. When they attacked Akpata community, we restrained our people. We are determined to maintain peace.
On Why Itsekiris Oppose the New Wards
They oppose it because the truth has been exposed. Visit the riverine Itsekiri communities and you’ll find them deserted. Most of their people live in Ugbuwangue and nearby areas in Warri city. Meanwhile, Ijaw communities, especially in Gbaramatu, are booming. Young men are building houses and returning home every weekend because of the Maritime University. Even the smallest Ijaw villages now have modern buildings and vibrant life.
On Why Gbaramatu Is at the Center of the Debate
It’s about Gbaramatu because the Itsekiris still insist we are their customary tenants. They fear our growing voting power. They want us to remain second-class citizens – people who can vote but can never be voted for, but times have changed.
On the Origins of the Warri Crisis
The Warri crisis began when the local government headquarters, originally meant for Ogbe-Ijoh, was moved to Ogidigben after intense lobbying by the Itsekiris. That decision, made when the entire council was Ijaw, sparked the first major conflict.
At the time, all councillors and both chairmanship candidates were Ijaw. Yet, through political manipulation, the Itsekiris hijacked the headquarters. The pattern continues today.
They also claim that Ogbe-Ijoh people have no presence in Warri metropolis, but that’s false. Ogbe-Ijoh people were among the earliest settlers; they signed treaties with Europeans and gave them land. The Sacred Heart Cathedral and Ogbe-Ijoh Market sit on Ogbe-Ijoh land.
On Land Ownership and Colonial handover to Itsekiri
During the colonial era, Dore Numa, an Itsekiri warrant chief, served as the middleman between the British and local communities. Through him, Warri land was appropriated under a trust system that allowed the Itsekiris to claim ownership of vast territories. But historically, the Ogbe-Ijoh was the first settlers.
However, on land ownership is just a distraction in the current matter. INEC’s work is about population and representation, not land. The commission rightly awarded three wards to the Ogbe-Ijoh Ijaws based on verified population data in Warri metropolis. In Warri Southwest the Ijaws got wards based on their voting strength while the Itsekiri got five. This is the true reflection of the reality on ground.
On Implementing the New Wards
If government delays implementing the delineation, it will appear biased. INEC has already completed the process as ordered by the Supreme Court. Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is ongoing, so under which wards are new voters registering? The old or the new? The confusion must end.
On Avoiding Another Crisis
The Itsekiris started the first Warri crisis, and they’re once again trying to provoke conflict. Their argument that the Ijaws have many LGAs is baseless. The Warri LGAs – North, South, and Southwest – are not purely Itsekiri. They are multi-ethnic, home to Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Diebiri, Isaba, and Egbema communities.
We’ve always advocated for dialogue. We proposed a rotational formula for political offices, but they rejected it. The fairest solution is to divide Warri into three federal constituencies, North, South, and southwest, so that each area can elect its own representative.
On the Olu of Warri Title
The same Awolowo-led Western Region government that changed the title from “Olu of Itsekiri” to “Olu of Warri” in 1957 also stated that the Olu’s authority does not extend over Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, or Egbema kingdoms. Restoring the original title “Olu of Itsekiri” – would ease tensions. The current title gives a false sense of overlordship and fuels resentment among neighbouring tribes.
On the ‘Customary Tenant’ Tag
Calling the Ijaw people “customary tenants” is deeply insulting. The Ijaw historically resisted slavery—we helped free slaves, we never owned them. So labeling us “tenants” is an attempt to degrade us.
If they truly believe we are tenants, let them come and enforce it. We know the land is ours. We want peace, but we will not accept slavery in any form.
On INEC’s Role and the Path Forward
The delineation process was fair and scientific, based on population data and land occupation. INEC used modern instruments and followed due process. The Itsekiris participated fully and only began protesting after seeing the results.
Politics is about negotiation, not intimidation. When the Itsekiris had the upper hand, they refused dialogue. Now that the tables have turned, they must accept the new reality. INEC should implement its findings without delay – the sky won’t fall. The longer they delay, the greater the tension.
On the Risk of Renewed Unrest
As leaders, we’ve tried to keep our people calm, but frustration is growing. If INEC or the government continues to delay, we may lose control. Some youths and women are already threatening to shut down oil operations in the area.
The federal government should act quickly. People like Tompolo have been instrumental in maintaining peace, but even he will not stand by if his people are continually oppressed. We’ve made our case before the DSS, AIG Zone 5, and the ONSA. We will not destroy facilities, but we can stop oil flow. The agitation is real, and patience is wearing thin. Implementing the delineation report is the only way to restore trust and avoid another crisis in Warri.
