By Ovie Okpare
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has told warring factions in the brewing ethnic crisis in Warri to wait until his tenure is over in 2031 before resuming hostilities in the ethnically volatile oil city.
The governor also stated that he would not comment on the looming crisis, as he did not want to lose the votes of the people from the three ethnic groups in the city in the next governorship election in the state.
Oborevwori, who called for peace and unity among the indigenous Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities in Warri, spoke during the funeral service of Late Mrs. Grace Agbolayah, mother of Dr. Toyin Agbolayah, Special Adviser on Community Development to the Governor, at the African Church, Central Missionary Diocese, Warri.
The governor frowned at the use of social media to incite violence and spread falsehood, stressing that those promoting the renewed crisis in Warri did not witness the last ethnic crisis that led to the destruction of commercial life in the city.
It was the first time Governor Oborevwori had spoken on the renewed tension among the three tribes – Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw – in Warri.
There had been brewing ethnic tension between the indigenous ethnic groups in Warri in recent times, a situation that has sparked fears among residents and those doing business in the city.
Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Warri, saying that he remains a governor for all tribes and vowed not to take sides in the brewing tension in the area.
“People say I don’t talk. To Warri people—if you want to fight, fight after 2031. Don’t fight during my time,” he said, drawing applause.
He added, “The Itsekiris voted for me, the Ijaws voted for me, and the Urhobos voted for me. They love me. Even in my own place, I failed some local governments… So, you want me to talk? Talk what? What do you want me to say? You want me to lose votes? I will not speak. But in all and all, we need unity.”
Governor Oborevwori, who hails from the Urhobo ethnic group, stressed that his leadership transcends ethnic lines.
He reminded residents of the horrors of the past, notably the Warri crisis, which left parts of the city in ruins and many families displaced.
“Some of these young children of today did not witness it. During the crisis, only my father’s house in Ighorue Street in Warri was not burnt because I wrote ‘Sheriff Papa House’ on it. That was what saved it. Every other house, even a nearby two-storey building, was burnt down. I witnessed it. Do we still want that in Warri?”, Oborevwori queried.
“This Warri dey sweet me for body,” he said. Adding that, “Some of you have children who will take you abroad. I don’t have any other home. This is the only home I have.”
Governor Oborevwori also addressed concerns about his recent visit to Justice Rowane, a respected Itsekiri leader and community strategist, saying the meeting was not political but a gesture of peace.
“Justice Rewane is a Chief Strategist. I know him well. He can instigate crisis in this Warri, but he also knows that his senior brother is now the governor, and he won’t do that. He’s a good man, a courageous man. And when you see people who can cause problems, you manage them. I’m telling you the truth. People will not understand. He raised some of these boys.”
Reassuring Deltans that he is a governor for all, not just for a particular group, Oborevwori said his campaign was built on street credibility and local content, not diaspora connections or divisive rhetoric.
“When I was contesting, I told people that I am a man with street credibility and local content. I’m not diaspora, I am local, and they gave me their votes. Now that I am governor, I say I am governor for all. Do I need to take sides? I will not do that.”
He also expressed frustration over how social media has become a breeding ground for misinformation and incitement.
“People are using social media to cause crisis. You don’t do that. I want to develop this Warri. That’s my focus. Those who are talking do not live in this town. Pray for those in authority and pray for peace in Warri” he said.
