Warri Must Choose Peace Over Possession

Governor’s stern warning highlights old rivalries as Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo renew claims- but lasting peace lies in fairness and shared prosperity.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on residents of Warri to maintain peace amid rising tensions among the city’s major ethnic groups. Speaking recently, he declared: “If you want to fight, fight after 2031. Don’t fight during my time.” His remarks came as Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo communities renewed competing claims of ownership and landlordship over the oil-rich city.

Warri, a historic port in Delta State, has long been a flashpoint of identity and land disputes. Its strategic importance as a hub of trade from the fifteenth century, and later as an oil city, has placed it at the centre of both economic opportunities and ethnic rivalries.

And this is the heart of today’s crisis: old rivalries resurfacing, but the path to peace lying only in fairness and shared prosperity.

And so, we must remember that peace cannot be postponed; it must be planted now.

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The Itsekiri, through the Olu of Warri’s monarchy, trace their authority back centuries, strengthened by early ties with Portuguese traders and Christian missionaries. The Ijaw, settled in riverine communities, have historic claims as fishermen, canoe-builders, and navigators of the creeks. The Urhobo, largely agrarian, pushed southwards and became vital to the city’s labour force, farming and commerce. Colonial rule and later oil politics complicated these interactions, formalising some boundaries while ignoring others, leaving behind disputes that flare up even today.

Land ownership, local government ward creation, siting of council headquarters, chieftaincy recognition, and access to oil-related contracts have all contributed to a cycle of mistrust. These issues have sparked violent crises in the past, especially in the late 1990s and early 2000s, disrupting Warri’s role as a commercial hub.

The Governor’s statement is stern and reflects his determination to prevent violence during his tenure. However, postponing conflict is not the same as resolving it. Warri must recognise that diversity is not a curse but a treasure.

For Warri to move forward, each ethnic community’s history must be acknowledged. The city needs a transparent land registry to settle overlapping claims, a fair system of ward delineation and council siting, and an equitable distribution of oil-related jobs and contracts. Dialogue through a permanent inter-ethnic council, bringing Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo leaders together, is essential.

Most importantly, youth empowerment must be prioritised. Idle hands, if ignored, become the fuel of conflict. Investments in skills training, environmental restoration, and cultural festivals that unite rather than divide will build trust. Security forces, too, must be neutral and disciplined, protecting all communities equally.

And above all, we must remind ourselves that Warri’s greatness is not in who owns it, but in how it is shared. Its diversity is not a curse but a treasure. If we rise above rivalry, Warri can once again be the pride of Delta and a beacon for Nigeria’s South-South.

The challenge is simple but urgent: the choice before us is clear: possession or peace. History will remember what we chose.

By Sir Divramredje Lawrence Efeturi, KSJI, Assoc.CIEPUK.

About the Author
Sir Divramredje Lawrence Efeturi, KSJI, Assoc.CIEPUK, is a writer and public commentator. He writes frequently on governance, justice, and peace in Nigeria, exploring the intersection of history, politics, and community life in the Niger Delta, while advocating fairness, dialogue, and shared prosperity as the pathway to lasting peace.