Warri high chief Ayirimi Emami has blamed the removal of Ugborodo and other Itsekiri communities from the 500-meter Dee Sea Buffer Zone on the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Emami alleged that the government, through the Office of the Deputy Governor supervised the controversial boundary adjustment.
Speaking at the Ologbotsere Hall in Warri during an event organised to mark “The day Ologbotsere family returned from the battlefield,” Emami called for sanction against those involved in the exercise.
“If there’s law in Nigeria, all those who participated in the boundary adjustment should be arrested,” he declared.
Efforts by this reporter to reach Pastor Kingsley Otuaro, who served as Dr. Okowa’s deputy for reaction, yielded no result as he could not be reached.
Otuaro’s spokesman Arex Akemotubo told The Nation in a telephone chat yesterday that his boss’ reaction to the allegation by the Itsekiri people would soon be made public.
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Emami claimed to have discussed the issue with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, along with the concerns about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed Ward and unit delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency.
He described the delineation proposal as a ploy to rename Itsekiri communities.
But INEC had promised to be fair to all.
Emami said: “I’ve told people not to worry about the INEC ward delineation. The current gazette has nullified everything they have proposed.”
Reaffirming his commitment to Itsekiri cause, Emami stated: “My life is dedicated to Itsekiri, my head and my neck, I can cut it off for Itsekiri.”
He accused certain individuals, including some Itsekiri chiefs, of working against the interests of the kingdom and spreading falsehoods on social media.
Tracing his heritage to Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo and Ilaje lineages, Emami urged unity among the ethnic groups and warned against internal divisions.
“If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can’t do anything,” he said, adding that all land disputes in the region had already been resolved by the Supreme Court.
He stressed that he would not support ceding Itsekiri land to other ethnic groups, just as he would not support taking Ijaw or Urhobo land for Itsekiri.
Also speaking at the event, Alex Eyengho said many have recognised Emami as a rallying point.
Warri prince Yemi Emiko also spoke at the event, commending Emami for his widespread influence and leadership.
He called for unity among the Itsekiri people and urged collective efforts to secure peace and progress for the kingdom.
