Sheriff Oborevwori’s peace initiative in Warri is welcome, writes RICHARD AKPOVONA
Warri has seen this movie before. It is a movie nobody wishes to watch again. For those old enough to remember the dark years of ethnic conflicts in Warri and its environs, the recent tensions arising from the ward and unit delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency immediately triggered uncomfortable memories. The fears are understandable. The issues involved are sensitive. The emotions are deep. The fact is that the interests at stake are both political, economic and historical. And the principal actors — the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities are among the most influential groups in Delta State. In such situations or circumstances, it often takes only a spark to ignite a dangerous fire.
That explains why Monday’s intervention by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is both timely and deserves commendation from all lovers of peace and progress. At a moment when tensions were beginning to escalate and inflammatory rhetoric threatening to overshadow reason, Governor Oborevwori acted swiftly and decisively by convening a high-level peace meeting involving leaders of the three ethnic nationalities, security chiefs and top government officials. Talk about a ‘stitch in time’. The outcome of that meeting has been reassuring. Leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities collectively pledged to maintain peace and embrace dialogue as the preferred means of resolving disagreements surrounding the delineation exercise. The significance of the intervention cannot be overstated.
