Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday moved swiftly to defuse rising tension in Warri by ordering the suspension of the planned inauguration of executives of the now-dissolved Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC).
The inauguration, scheduled to hold at Odion Road in Warri South Local Government Area, had triggered growing unease among community leaders, security stakeholders and concerned residents.
Multiple government insiders confirmed that the governor intervened after receiving a directive from the highest traditional authority in the Warri Kingdom, urging him to halt the ceremony to forestall unrest.
A video circulating widely on social media captures Chief Wilson Olley addressing a gathering of Itsekiri youths at the incomplete structure where preparations for the event were underway.
In the footage, he announced that the inauguration had been canceled and reaffirmed that the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth (UIY) remains the only legitimate youth body recognized by the Itsekiri nation.
Chief Olley clarified the situation, emphasizing that the INYC no longer exists.
“There was no inauguration this morning,” he said. “The Itsekiri Youth Council was dissolved by His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III. What we have, and what stands, is the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth, the officially recognized youth group.”
The planned inauguration had raised concerns of possible factional clashes, given the sensitive nature of youth leadership in the Itsekiri ethnic nationality and the recent efforts by the palace to streamline and unify youth structures.
As of press time, the state government and palace authorities had not issued additional statements regarding the aborted event, though community sources say the governor’s timely intervention prevented what could have escalated into a major disturbance.
The situation remains calm, with stakeholders urging continued adherence to the directive recognizing UIY as the sole authorized Itsekiri youth body.
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