*We’re In Support of Ethiope State, he says
By Victor Lewis
Majority indigenous Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality of Warri in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have expressed strong opposition and rejection to the proposal by the Itsekiri for the creation of Warri State.
A high powered delegation of the Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality under the auspices of Warri Urhobo National Congress, WUNC, led by Olorogun Victor Okumagba JP, to the South South Zonal Constitutional Review, Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Section A, which took place in Yenagoa over the weekend, vehemently opposed and rejected the proposal by the Itsekiri for the creation of Warri State.
While presenting the position of the Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality to the House Committee public hearing supervised by the Leader of the House of Representatives, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Olorogun Okumagba who is the Secretary-General of the WUNC, stated that the Warri-Urhobo of Warri Township cannot support the creation of Warri State because they have been oppressed, tormented and marginalized by the Itsekiri over the years.
He explained that the entire Warri metropolis was occupied by over 80% Urhobo, adding that their ownership of Warri Township in Warri South Local Government Area, is not in doubt.
“My names are Olorogun Victor Okumagba JP., Secretary General, Warri Urhobo National Congress, a group formed since 1981 to articulate, pursue and protect the political and social interest of the Urhobo people in Warri Town in Warri South Local Government Area.
“I’m here on behalf of the Urhobo people of Warri to oppose vehemently the creation of Warri State. Warri Urhobo people are indigenous in Warri Urban in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State occupying more than 80 percent of Warri metropolis which is the commercial hub of Delta State.
“While we respect the agitation for the creation of Warri State by the Itsekiri people led by the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, we are vehemently opposing to have Warri Town as the capital of Warri State. This is because Warri Town is the homeland of Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality. Warri-Urhobo cannot be part of the proposed Warri State being demanded by the Itsekiri ethnic nationality because their sole aim is to politically emasculate, and further marginalize, deprive and oppress the Warri Urhobo Ethnic nationality.
“The Urhobo people of Warri Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State are protected under W48/68 in the Suit filed by the Itsekiri people over the ownership of Warri Township. The ownership of Warri Township has been laid to rest since 1976”, he said.
The leader of the Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality Congress to the Public Hearing, however averred that the Urhobo in Warri support the proposal to create Ethiope State (Urhobo State) which, according to him, has been overdue for transformation to a full-fledged State.
He said: “Warri-Urhobo has no discussion, consultation or interaction with the proponents, the Itsekiri people, who are demanding the creation of Warri State. We therefore reject and oppose the request, because the demand is unrealistic, rather we call for and support the agitation for the creation of proper Delta State or Ethiope State.”
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the occasion, Olorogun Okumagba noted that: “We are here today to oppose the Itsekiri for the creation of Warri State and to give full support for the creation of Ethiope State.
“Warri Urhobo have been criminally marginalized over the years. So, creating Urhobo State will pull us out of the desert that we have in over the past years. Without being told everybody can attest to it that Urhobo is due for a State. Therefore, the demand is justifiable.”
*Says Olorogun Victor Okumagba
*We’re In Support of Ethiope State, he says
Majority indigenous Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have vehemently opposed and rejected the proposal by the Itsekiri for the creation of Warri State.
A high powered delegation of the Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality under the auspices of Warri Urhobo National Congress, WUNC, led by Olorogun Victor Okumagba JP, to the South South Zonal Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Section A Constitutional Review, which took place in Yenagoa over the weekend, vehemently opposed and rejected the proposal by the Itsekiri for the creation of Warri State.
While presenting the position of the Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality to the House Committee public hearing supervised by the Leader of the House of Representatives, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Olorogun Okumagba who is the Secretary-General of the WUNC, stated that the Warri-Urhobo of Warri Township cannot support the creation of Warri State because they have been oppressed, tormented and marginalized by the Itsekiri over the years.
He explained that the entire Warri metropolis was occupied by over 80% Urhobo, adding that their ownership of Warri Township in Warri South Local Government Area, is not in doubt.
“My names are Olorogun Victor Okumagba JP., Secretary General, Warri Urhobo National Congress, a group formed since 1981 to articulate, pursue and protect the political and social interest of the Urhobo people in Warri Town in Warri South Local Government Area.
“I’m here on behalf of the Urhobo people of Warri to oppose vehemently the creation of Warri State. Warri Urhobo people are indigenous in Warri Urban in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State occupying more than 80 percent of Warri metropolis which is the commercial hub of Delta State.
“While we respect the agitation for the creation of Warri State by the Itsekiri people led by the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, we are vehemently opposing to have Warri Town as the capital of Warri State. This is because Warri Town is the homeland of Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality. Warri-Urhobo cannot be part of the proposed Warri State being demanded by the Itsekiri ethnic nationality because their sole aim is to politically emasculate, and further marginalize, deprive and oppress the Warri Urhobo Ethnic nationality.
“The Urhobo people of Warri Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State are protected under W48/68 in the Suit filed by the Itsekiri people over the ownership of Warri Township. The ownership of Warri Township has been laid to rest since 1976”, he said.
The leader of the Warri-Urhobo Ethnic Nationality Congress to the Public Hearing, however averred that the Urhobo in Warri support the proposal to create Ethiope State (Urhobo State) which, according to him, has been overdue for transformation to a full-fledged State.
He said: “Warri-Urhobo has no discussion, consultation or interaction with the proponents, the Itsekiri people, who are demanding the creation of Warri State. We therefore reject and oppose the request, because the demand is unrealistic, rather we call for and support the agitation for the creation of proper Delta State or Ethiope State.”
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the occasion, Olorogun Okumagba noted that: “We are here today to oppose the Itsekiri for the creation of Warri State and to give full support for the creation of Ethiope State.
“Warri Urhobo have been criminally marginalized over the years. So, creating Urhobo State will pull us out of the desert that we have in over the past years. Without being told everybody can attest to it that Urhobo is due for a State. Therefore, the demand is justifiable.”
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