Prince Okotie-Eboh Urges Tinubu, Oborevwori to Intervene in Renewed Urhobo/Itsekiri Crisis

Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, son of Nigeria’s first Finance Minister and former Regent of the Warri Kingdom, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently intervene in the renewed crisis between the Urhobo and Itsekiri communities in Warri.

Speaking to journalists in Warri, Okotie-Eboh warned that the situation, if left unchecked, could escalate into bloodshed and destruction of property, further destabilising the oil-rich city.

He recalled the devastating impact of past Urhobo-Itsekiri-Ijaw clashes, which crippled economic activities in Warri, disrupted oil production, and left deep scars that are still felt today. He stressed that history must not be allowed to repeat itself.

“The injuries inflicted on Warri during the previous crises remain fresh in our minds. I therefore call on the State and Federal Governments to urgently wade into this crisis before it spirals out of control,” he said.

Okotie-Eboh further urged government authorities not to politicize the issue but to identify and prosecute those benefitting from the conflict. He accused certain individuals of inciting violence for personal gain by using young people as tools for destruction.

He also appealed to leaders and stakeholders from both ethnic nationalities to call their wards to order, warning that those responsible for orchestrating violence are well known and must be stopped.

“The Urhobos and Itsekiris are neighbours, bound by intermarriages and shared communities. It is disturbing that brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, uncles, and aunties continue to fight each other while destroying the very city they claim to love,” he lamented.

While calling for peace, Okotie-Eboh urged both groups to put Warri’s future above ethnic rivalry. “No reasonable person destroys the child he claims to love. If we truly love Warri, why then the desire to destroy it? Let us give peace a chance and keep Warri clean for rapid development, not violence,” he appealed.