Are Itsekiri Elements Plotting to Harm Chief Wellington Okirika? Ijaw Group Raises Alarm, Demands Security Protection
The Delta Ijaw Women Political Forum has called on the Federal Government, the Delta State Government and security agencies to immediately provide adequate security for Niger Delta elder statesman, Chief (Dr.) Wellington O. Okirika, CON, following a controversial social media comment in which Itsekiri commentator, Yemi Otuedon, allegedly referred to him as "late" despite the fact that he is alive.
The group's Founder, Comrade Mesahrun Ejiro Stella Bobo, described the remark as "reckless, irresponsible and deeply disturbing," saying it has generated anxiety among Ijaw people and should not be dismissed as an ordinary slip of the tongue.
According to the statement, Chief Okirika is a respected Niger Delta leader whose contributions to the struggle for resource control, peace, and development remain unmatched. She urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the statement and ensure that no harm comes to the elder statesman.
"The reference to Chief Dr. Wellington O. Okirika CON as 'late' while he is alive is unacceptable and has created genuine concern among our people. We call on the relevant authorities to guarantee his safety and investigate the comment in the interest of public peace," the statement said.
However, the Coordinator of the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NDCSF), Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, described Chief Wellington O. Okirika, CON, as one of the greatest living icons of the Niger Delta, stressing that he had just celebrated his birthday and remains "alive and still kicking."
Kagbala said Chief Okirika is the Bolowei and Traditional Prime Minister of Gbaramatu Kingdom, popularly known as "Mr. 13% Derivation Fund," the Founding Father and Pioneer Executive Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), and the Founding Father of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON).
According to him, "This illustrious, forthright and peace-loving elder statesman should be celebrated and honoured while he is alive. He has paid his dues to Nigeria, the Niger Delta region and the people of Delta State, including the Warri Federal Constituency. His contributions to resource control, community development and the advancement of oil-producing communities are enormous and undeniable."
Kagbala recalled that, as chronicled in Chief Okirika's book, "Mr. 13% Derivation Fund: The Life and Legacy of Chief (Dr.) Wellington O. Okirika, CON," the elder statesman played a leading role during the 1994/95 National Constitutional Conference, where he championed and financed the campaign that resulted in the increase of the derivation principle from 3 per cent to 13 per cent, a constitutional provision that today benefits oil-producing states across the Niger Delta.
He further noted that Chief Okirika championed the establishment of DESOPADEC and became its founding father and pioneer Executive Chairman, laying the foundation for development interventions in oil-producing communities across Delta State.
Kagbala also credited the elder statesman with championing the creation of Warri North Local Government Area for the benefit of Itsekiri's of Koko and Ijaw of Egbema, as well as the creation of Warri South-West Local Government Area, which accommodates the Ijaw communities of Gbaramatu, Isaba, Ogbe-Ijoh, Diebiri and Itsekiri's of Ogborodo Ogidigben, among others.
He said these historical achievements are well documented in Chief Okirika's book, particularly on pages 38–52 and pages 60–158, and remain part of his enduring legacy.
Kagbala warned against inflammatory rhetoric capable of inciting ethnic tension, urging all stakeholders to embrace peaceful coexistence and respect for elder statesmen regardless of ethnic or political differences.
"The man fondly called Mr. 13% Derivation Fund is alive, healthy and continues to serve as a symbol of justice, peace and the struggle for resource control. No responsible person should falsely describe him as deceased. We call on security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure that no harm comes to him," he said.
The Delta Ijaw Women Political Forum and the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum jointly appealed to the Federal Government, Delta State Government and all security agencies to treat the matter with utmost seriousness, investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial remark, and guarantee the safety of Chief (Dr.) Wellington O. Okirika, CON. They also urged all ethnic groups in Delta State to reject hate speech and pursue dialogue, peace and mutual respect.
