Group writes Oborevwori, expresses disappointment over UPU war declaration against Ogbe-Ijoh, Ijaw nation

By Peters Monday, Abuja

Renowned Socio-cultural group, the Ogbe-Ijoh Interest & Defensive Forum (OIDF) has called on the governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori to call Urhobo leaders and politicians in his government to order for wrongly painting Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communal crisis as ethnic conflict, a move, according to the group may set the state ablaze.

This is according to a statement by the president of the group Amb. Okosu Smart, Spokesman Comr. Ebilabor Stanley and Madam Ebiakpo Warikuromor, Women Leader on Wednesday.

The group said they were disappointed with the position canvassed by the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, adding that Ogbe-Ijoh would not be deterred by the Urhobo nation backing Aladja community to fight them and the Ijaw nation.

The Ogbe-Ijoh concerned youths stressed that the Urhobo nation should not allow itself to be deceived by the fact the present governor of the state is of Urhobo nationality, hence, it could win the war against the Ijaw nation.

The statement reads, “Ogbe-Ijoh Interest & Defensive Forum (OIDF) is watching with keen interest a trending video wherein the Urhobo Progressive Union visited Aladja Community and in a press briefing that followed, it declared war against Ogbe-Ijoh Community and Ijaw nation at large. We discovered that the visit was to appraise Aladja Community for consistently attacking Ogbe-Ijoh. The UPU visiting team applauded Aladja Community for grounding socio-economic activities in Ogbe-Ijoh for the past eight years, especially the shutting down of the only access road to Ogbe-Ijoh. It is on record that only army personnel make use of the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh road.

“Comments and utterances from the visit are all about war with Ogbe-Ijoh and Ijaw people in general, and from our findings, they summoned such courage and audacity because one of them is now Governor of Delta State and they had his support and backing. The recent boundary dispute between the two communities has been on for about eight years, though this is not the first time the Urhobo nation is publicly declaring war on the Ogbe-Ijoh people and the Ijaws. As threatening as the viral video which Your Excellency may have also seen, it is expedient that your excellency should caution Urhobo leaders, and members of the government involved in the threat and disassociate your government from such stance of the Urhobo nation, as your silence might make the Ogbe-Ijoh community confidence in your ability to resolve the boundary dispute.

“Your Excellency, it may interest you to know that the majority of your Urhobo brothers never voted for you but you emerged victorious in the polls because of votes from Delta South and Delta North Senatorial Districts. But, unfortunately, Your Excellency has decided to pay us back with evil.

“Again, your Excellency, We have been reliably informed how UPU brought together all Urhobo leaders, chiefs and politicians in your government and held a meeting in Abuja where it was agreed that each village/community in Urhobo nation should make available ten (10) able youths each to attack Ogbe-Ijoh and that your government will provide security cover for the period the attack will last. Also, these assailants are disguised as armed robbers and attack innocent Ijaw people living in the Urhobo areas.

“Your Excellency, in case you are not aware of this plan, please be aware now, because if this is truly implemented, we promise, the Ijaw nation will not also fold its hands and allow your government to provide all that is needed for Aladja to prosecute the unprovoked fresh war. Except your Excellency wants his government to be crippled for less than 100 days in office, you should seek proper advice.

“To this end, we can no longer guarantee security for the purported Chief Godwin Uzor-led team and Your Excellency is hereby advised to withdraw the said team from the disputed land in the interest of peace. We also wish to put it on record that the Ogbe-Ijoh people can defend our ancestral lands which our forefathers and the present generation have settled,” the group added.