…Alerts INEC, Security Forces Over Itsekiri Moves
The Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) has issued a strong warning to the Itsekiri over encroachment on Gbaramatu lands during the ongoing fresh delineation process of electoral wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency. The areas in question are Sagharabubou, Ikantu, and Ijaghala.
According to the GYC, in a press statement signed by Kingsley Arerebo Egbejule, President, and Raphael Tareke Erike, Secretary, a team of Itsekiri deceived the inhabitants of these communities by pretending to construct an access road and collecting coordinates with members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The GYC warns that this encroachment poses a significant threat to peace and security in the region and urges security forces to take immediate action to prevent any potential outbreak of violence. The council emphasizes the importance of the integrity and stability of their communities and calls for swift rectification of this issue by the relevant authorities.
The GYC firmly states that the communities of Ijaghala, Sagharabubou, and Ikantu belong to the Gbaramatu Kingdom, warning that any attempt by the Itsekiri to politically claim these lands will meet strong resistance.
Read the statement below:
“We write to inform the general public particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission— INEC that It has come to our attention that there has been an encroachment by the Itsekiri on Gbaramatu lands pecifically in the areas of Sagharabubou, Ikantu and Ijaghala, during the ongoing ward delineation exercise. A Team of Itsekiri went to the above-mentioned communities in the Gbaramatu Kingdom and deceived the inhabitants that they wanted to construct an access road and deceitfully collected coordinates with members of INEC.
“This encroachment is a serious matter that poses a significant threat to peace and security in the region.
“We strongly urge all security apparatus to take immediate and proactive measures to address this issue and prevent any potential outbreak of violence. The integrity and stability of our communities are at risk, and it is crucial that swift action is taken to rectify this situation by relevant authorities.
“We are not in 1991 where INEC erroneously gave the Ijaws with 63% population four wards as against six wards given to the Itsekiris with only 37% population. We wish to state in strong terms that the communities of Ijaghala, Sagharabubou, Ikantu are all communities under Gbaramatu Kingdom. And any attempt to grab these lands politically by the Itsekiris will meet stiff and tough resistant. The peace-loving nature of the good people of Gbaramatu Kingdom should not be mistaking for cowardice and the Itsekiris should concentrate on how they can manage their ill-numbered communities rather looking for communities outside theirs to grab.
“We reiterate that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) verification team to come on the ground without delay to assess and correct this abnormality. It is imperative that the delineation process is conducted fairly and transparently, respecting the rightful boundaries of Gbaramatu lands.
“A prompt attempt towards resolving this will assist to forestall avoidable confrontation that could result to breakdown of law and order.”
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