SEVEN DAYS IN OBOREVWORI’S DELTA STATE The Delta State governor is doing exceedingly well, reckons IKE OKONTA I was in Warri, Delta State’s main oil city last July for consultancy work for the United Nations Development The Delta State governor is doing exceedingly well, reckons IKE OKONTA I was in Warri, Delta State’s main oil city last July for consultancy work for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) when the city suddenly exploded into turmoil.
The cause of the turmoil was a sharp disagreement between Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo leaders over electoral ward delineation in metropolitan Warri.
Ijaw leaders quickly mobilised their women and the latter rushed into the creeks and blockaded Chevron’s oil installations there.
Everybody feared the worst, like it happened in 1997 when warring Ijaw and Itsekiri youth took over the streets of the city killing and maiming and plundering.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori quickly swung into action. He sent carefully-chosen representatives to Warri who brought leaders of the warring factions to Asaba, the state capital. Using a combination of street wisdom and diplomacy, the governor returned peace to Warri. Then, to consolidate this peace, he reached out to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, who arranged for Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw leaders to be brought to him in Aso Rock.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with THISDAY.