The Warri South-West Unity and Development Forum has condemned what it described as attempts by a group known as the “Itsekiri Democratic Forum” to incite ethnic crisis in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Forum, in a statement issued on Friday and addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, accused the group of spreading falsehood and promoting divisive narratives capable of destabilizing the peace in the area.
Coordinator of the Forum, Pastor Arex Akemotubo, said the publication by the group contained “falsehood, historical distortions, inflammatory statements, and deliberate attempts to create ethnic tension in Warri South-West for selfish political objectives.”
According to him, although the individuals behind the statement were not widely known within the mainstream political and community leadership structure of the council area, the Forum considered it necessary to respond because of the potential danger posed by the publication.
“Because of the dangerous nature of the statements and their potential to incite unrest, we find it necessary to set the records straight before the general public,” Akemotubo stated.
The Forum specifically faulted claims that two Ijaw politicians were simultaneously occupying the positions of council chairman and member representing Warri South-West in the Delta State House of Assembly.
Describing the allegation as misleading, Akemotubo said historical records clearly contradicted the claim.
“This claim is false, deceptive, and intellectually dishonest. When Hon. David Tonwe, an Itsekiri son, served as Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Council, Hon. Daniel Mayuku, also an Itsekiri son, simultaneously represented Warri South-West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly,” he said.
The Forum also challenged claims regarding the tenure of Hon. Daniel Mayuku, insisting that he served four terms in the Delta State House of Assembly and not two as alleged in the controversial publication.
“Public political records clearly show that Hon. Daniel Mayuku was a four-term member of the Delta State House of Assembly representing Warri South-West Constituency,” Akemotubo added.
On the issue of the Deputy Governor’s office, the Forum maintained that the position was never exclusively zoned to Warri South-West Local Government Area, but was instead conceded to the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Delta State under the political arrangement between 2015 and 2023.
The group further defended the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, against what it called attempts to undermine his leadership.
“Rt. Hon. Guwor remains one of the most prominent and respected political leaders produced by Warri South-West in modern times. As Speaker, he has brought honour, visibility, stability, and maturity to legislative governance in Delta State,” the statement noted.
The Forum called on security agencies to closely monitor individuals and groups allegedly promoting divisive narratives capable of triggering unrest in the area.
“The peace of Warri South-West is bigger than the ambition of any politician,” Akemotubo warned.
While commending Governor Oborevwori for what it described as his inclusive leadership style and commitment to peace across Delta State, the Forum expressed confidence that the administration would continue to promote fairness, unity, and stability.
“Warri South-West belongs to all ethnic nationalities. Peace, unity, and development must remain our collective priority,” the statement concluded.
