Fear of Urhobo's and Ijaw's Deprived Warri from Being Capital of Delta State, Read What Itsekiri's did

By Ezekiel Kagbala FPR

Niger Delta leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has said that, the oil city of Warri would have been the Capital of Delta State, but the then Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Atuwatse II and Mr. Allison Ayida, the former Secretary to the Federal Government with other Itsekiri leaders, protested against it.

Durring an interview with the South-South regional editor of one of the most prominent national dailies, the elder Stateman said that; Itsekiri's protested to the Federal Military Government, in 1991 that they do not want Warri township to be the capital of Delta State because Urhobos and Ijaws will dominate the state.

Hence, Asaba which was the headquarters of the old Asaba division in Benin province, eventually became the capital of Delta State.

He explained that at a meeting presided over by former military Vice President, late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, in Benin City, Edo State, in 1991, leaders of the old Bendel State had agreed that the capital of new Delta State without Asaba division would have its capital at Warri, but the then Olu of Warri and his people protested against the decision, making the government to go back on Warri.

According to him, “The fear the old Warri province had with the none execution of the plan of making Warri the state capital, was that Warri will eventually become a desolate and abandoned township, with no development and employment because the oil companies will move out of Warri, in addition to the fact that no tertiary institution will remain in the city.”

The situation in Warri today, has justified the fears expressed in 1991, the city is abandoned,” he added.

Clark, who shed light on the intrigues surrounding creation of the state, asserted: “When Gen. Ibrahim Babangida became military President, he decided to create two states out of the old Bendel State, namely Edo and Delta states in 1991. Edo State was to comprise the old Benin province, which included old Benin division, old Asaba division, Ishan division and Afemai division.”

“While the old Warri province, now Delta province comprising East and Western Urhobo divisions, Western Ijaw division, Warri division, Aboh division. Later, Isoko division was created out of Eastern Urhobo division.

“The two states were created based on the two old provinces. Edo State was to have Benin as its capital, while Delta State was to have Warri Township as his capital.

“This was an official decision taken at a meeting held at the residence of the vice military President, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.

Credit to vanguard