A coalition of prominent Itsekiri indigenes in Warri South-West Local Government Area has rejected a proposed legislative move seeking to introduce the Ijaw language as a subject in public primary schools across the LGA.
The group describes the initiative as a direct challenge to the cultural integrity and political continuity of the Itsekiri people in their ancestral domain.
In a strongly worded petition addressed to Itsekiri councillors, political office holders, and traditional stakeholders, community representatives including Tuale Aderojo, Neye Golly, and Ogbite Aburu criticized the bill for being drafted “without any form of consultation, dialogue, or communal engagement.”
They argued that the proposal not only disregards Itsekiri historical precedence in the region but also signals what they consider a growing pattern of political decisions that marginalize their interests.
The petitioners warned that implementing the language proposal could erode the cultural dominance of the Itsekiri in the LGA, weakening socio-political influence built over generations. According to them, the bill risks setting a precedent that diminishes their identity “in a land that holds deep ancestral significance.”
Calling for immediate action, the group demanded an emergency summit of Itsekiri leaders to forge a unified response.
They emphasized the need for renewed political vigilance, improved community mobilization, and the grooming of a new cadre of young Itsekiri leaders capable of defending the community’s cultural and strategic future.
The controversy has also revived longstanding discussions about ethnic representation and territorial claims in Warri.
Some Itsekiri voices link the bill to broader political shifts, including previous disputes over electoral ward delineation, which they believe diluted their representation in favor of rival groups.
Observers note that while the bill focuses on language education, it exposes deeper tensions surrounding identity, land ownership, and political balance in Delta State’s riverine corridor. The Itsekiri rejection underscores a determination to preserve their heritage and maintain a firm hold on cultural authority amid evolving local power dynamics.
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