Stay off our land, Urhobo monarchs warn Olu of Warri

Following imminent crisis between Oghara kingdom, Mosogar and Itsekeri kingdom allegedly being orchestrated by the Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwatse 111, the traditional rulers of Oghara kingdom, HRM Orefe 111 and Mosogar kingdom, HRM Uduaka 1 in Ethiope west local government area of Delta State has strongly warned the Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwatse 111 to stop laying claims to their communities as communities under Warri kingdom.

The monarch stated this in a letter dated March 8, 2024 and March 14, 2024 respectively, educating the Olu of Warri of over the said communities.

According to the letters, the monarchs informed the Olu of Warri that Efurokpe community is an Itsekeri settlement and not community under Warri kingdom as alleged by Olu of Warri.

While urging him to encourage the age-long enduring peace that had existed amongst the various ethnic groups in the area.

Speaking to our reporter, a group of Oghara indigenes under the aegis of Oghara Advocacy Group has described the claims made by the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse 111 as misleading capable of igniting inter-ethnic crisis, tasked HRM Atuwatse 111 to be a promoter of peace than ember of discord among ethnic groups in the State.

They also described as insult on Oghara, Mosogar kingdoms and indeed Urhobo kingdoms going by the claims of the Olu of Warri, while demanding for unreserved apology from the palace of the Olu for laying claims to Itsekeri settlements in Ethiope west as communities under Warri kingdom.

The group also appealed to Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori to call the Olu of Warri to order to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

It would recalled that the Olu of Warri, HRM Atuwatse 111 in a letter written to the traditional rulers of Oghara and Mosogar kingdoms inviting them to the nineth edition of Ghigho Aghofen (Change of Palace watch) where he claimed some Itsekeri settlements as communities under his kingdom.

According to inside sources within the Palace of the Olu of Warri, the Itsekeri settlements the monarch claimed to be communities under Warri kingdom include; Efurokpe, Oyeaja, Obite-ukpagha, Ewuse, Ibirifo, Ekwobodo, Efo communities.

Others include: Ajafutughe, Ajatitor, Aja-Uduaghan (CTC) and Ifole communities respectively.

Investigations by our reporter backed by Delta State Government gazette clearly stated that Ethiope west local government only have have three kingdoms. Namely Oghara, Mosogar and Ijerhe kingdom, wondered how Warri kingdom fused into kingdoms in Ethiope west local government area. Only time shall tell the real others of the disputed areas in contention.