The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned against the deliberate distortion of historical and legal facts concerning traditional leadership structures in Warri, Delta State, describing recent attempts to extend the authority of the Olu of Warri over Ijaw territories as unlawful and provocative.
Relying on existing legal frameworks and historical precedent, HURIWA has affirmed that the Olu of Warri’s jurisdiction, as prescribed by law, is restricted exclusively to the Itsekiri kingdom. The association called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to respect the distinct traditional institutions of the Ijaw people in Warri metropolis and across Delta State.
Citing the Western Region Laws of Nigeria No. 177 of 1955, the Chiefs Law of 1957 (Cap. 19), the Bendel State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict (B.S.L.N 44 of 1979), and the Delta State Traditional Rulers, Council and Chiefs Law (Cap. T3, 2006), HURIWA maintained that these laws clearly define the Olu of Warri as the prescribed authority only over Itsekiri lands. The association emphasized that the Ijaw kingdoms of Gbaramatu, Egbeoma, Isaba, and Ogbe-Ijoh are autonomous and governed by their respective traditional rulers.
“The legal history is not ambiguous,” HURIWA stated. “From the Western Region era to the present-day Delta State legislation, the law has consistently affirmed that the Olu’s traditional authority does not extend beyond Itsekiri areas. The Chiefs Law of 1957 explicitly excludes Ijaw territories from his jurisdiction.”
The group also referenced the 2006 compilation of Delta State laws, which recognizes four distinct clans within Warri metropolis: Itsekiri (under the Olu), Okere-Urhobo (under the Orosuen), Agbassa (under the Ovie), and Ogbe-Ijoh (under the Amaokosu). This interpretation was recently reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/AS/441/2016, delivered on June 5, 2023.
“The court judgment reinforces what the law has always stated: that each clan within Warri metropolis retains its traditional autonomy under its respective leadership. Any claim that attempts to impose the Olu’s authority over Ijaw areas is not only unfounded but also a clear violation of the law,” HURIWA added.
The association condemned ongoing narratives that seek to subjugate Ijaw kingdoms under the Olu’s authority, branding such attempts as “revisionist and inflammatory.” It warned that further provocations could incite unrest and undermine the fragile unity among indigenous ethnic groups in Warri and Delta State at large.
HURIWA described the Ijaw kingdoms as sovereign and self-governing, maintaining unique cultural and religious practices. The association reaffirmed its support for the Ijaw people’s right to self-determination within the constitutional and traditional frameworks of Nigeria.
“We stand with the Indigenous People of Ijaw in Delta State in their call for mutual respect, legal clarity, and the upholding of traditional boundaries,” the statement read. “The Olu of Warri, originally the Olu of Itsekiri, must operate within the confines of his jurisdiction as defined by law.”
The human rights advocacy group also called on the Delta State Government, the National Council of Traditional Rulers, and the relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that no individual or group violates these established legal boundaries. It urged all traditional institutions to promote peaceful coexistence based on mutual recognition and legal truth.
Warri, HURIWA noted, is home to multiple indigenous groups whose rights and identities must be safeguarded against any form of encroachment or historical distortion. “It is not a domain for any one ethnic group to claim supremacy,” the group emphasized.
HURIWA concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defending the cultural heritage and traditional rights of all indigenous communities in Nigeria, while calling for peaceful dialogue and strict adherence to the rule of law in all matters concerning traditional leadership.
*Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko*
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
May 24, 2025