Prominent Itsekiri elder, businesswoman and philanthropist, Rita Ogbebor, has urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in escalating tensions in the Warri axis of Delta State, warning that failure to act could trigger renewed violence in the region.
Speaking at a press briefing held in Lagos on Friday, the 86-year-old warned that political actors were allegedly exploiting ethnic divisions in the oil-rich area for control of resources.
She cautioned that the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous, alleging that what was unfolding could lead to large-scale conflict if not properly managed.
“You may say the word genocide is harsh, but it is true. It is a fact. There is a looming genocide against the Itsekiri,” she said.
Ogbebor also claimed that recent public mobilisations by Ijaw and Urhobo groups were contributing to heightened tension in the area, describing them as coordinated efforts linked to the ongoing Warri dispute.
She stressed that understanding the historical background of the crisis was key to resolving it, warning that mismanagement of the situation could have severe consequences for national peace.
“What is this fight? It is only when you understand the history that you can solve the problem,” she noted.
The elder stateswoman further warned that failure to address the dispute could plunge the Niger Delta into another cycle of violence.
“Nigeria will wake up one morning and the whole area will be in flames… it will not be the Itsekiri alone; it will be a war,” she said.
She called on the Federal Government to step in and guarantee the safety of the Itsekiri people amid rising tensions.
Ogbebor also referenced past conflicts in Warri between 1997 and 2003, linking them to political decisions over local government structures and control of oil resources.
According to her, competition over oil wealth has continued to fuel repeated crises in the region.
She maintained that the Itsekiri are the original inhabitants of Warri and pointed to past court rulings which, she said, supported aspects of their claim.
“There is a judgement that says everybody in Warri except the Itsekiri is a settler,” she stated.
The Itsekiri leader also renewed calls for the creation of Warri State, arguing that it would provide political stability and better protection for her people.
“We want Warri State… Warri is viable and meets the conditions for state creation,” she added.
Her remarks come amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ward and polling unit delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency, following a 2022 Supreme Court judgment ordering a redrawing of electoral boundaries in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North.
The process has continued to generate disputes among Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo groups, each contesting representation and boundary allocations.
While Ijaw and Urhobo groups have demanded immediate implementation of the court order, Itsekiri stakeholders have rejected parts of the delineation, alleging marginalisation.
INEC is yet to conclude the exercise as consultations continue alongside nationwide voter registration activities.