N-Delta youth leader, Mamamu, writes Tinubu, NSA, Oborevwori, alleges drumbeat of war by Itsekiris in Warri
By Ezekiel Kagbala
A Niger Delta youth leader, Comrade Bene Youkore Mamamu on Monday despatched an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, raising an alarm that "Itsekiris are trying to invade Ijaw territories under the guise of protest against the recent field report of the Independent National Electorial Commission (INEC) following the Ward delineation the Commission conducted in the Warri Federal Constituency".
Mamamu, a prominent Ijaw leader from Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, also forwarded copies of the open letter to the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and the Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, among other government functionaries
In the open letter, Mamamu accused Itsekiri youths of taking to a protest in some Ijaw areas, notably Miller Waterside near the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Warri South Local Government Area, over what they had described as a fraudulent and politically motivated INEC Ward delineation report.
Mamamu stated that the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, by their action, had "deliberately started a drumbeat of war by trying to invade Ijaw areas under the guise of protesting against INEC in expressing their displeasure against the Commission's field report of the Supreme Court ordered Ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency".
Mamamu warned the entire Ijaws in the Warri Federal Constituency to "be on alert of possible invasion by Itsekiris".
While urging President BolaTinubu and the National Security Adviser to "hold the Itsekiri leadership accountable for any unrest that may arise from their actions", Mamamu warned that failure to do so could lead to a repeat of conflicts that have plagued the region, resulting in loss of lives and property.
The youth leader however dared the Itsekiris to "take another step of crossing into Ijaw territory with their drum beat of war, and Ijaws will face them with action for action".
The open letter partly reads, "I write to you today as a concerned citizen and representative of the Ijaws in Ogbe-ljoh, Delta State, with a heavy heart and a deep sense of urgency regarding the recent events surrounding the ward delineation protest by Itsekiris against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
"It has come to my attention that this protest has escalated to a point where it is now crossing into Ijaw territories in Warri, particularly near Miller Waterside. This situation is not only alarming but poses a significant threat to the peace and harmony that Ijaws have worked hard to maintain.
"Protests are a fundamental aspect of democracy, but they must be conducted with respect for the rights and territories of others. Itsekiris taking grievances into Ijaw areas is not only provocative but also a 'drum beat of war:' and Ijaws are not afraid of war.
"I urge you and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to take proactive measures to hold the Itsekiri leadership accountable for their actions of trying to invade Ijaw territory in Warri under the guise of protesting against INEC over the issues of Ward delineation. Ijaws will not tolerate any further trespass and will respond with action for action.
"It is crucial that their leadership acts responsibly and in the best interest of all stakeholders in the region.
"Any failure to address the underlying issues and hold leaders accountable could lead to a resurgence of violence, which would have devastating consequences for our communities".
