BRIDGES, NOT SWORDS

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.

Warri is not just another city. It is one of the most strategic economic centres in Nigeria’s oil-producing region. For decades, it served as a thriving commercial hub, attracting businesses, investors and workers from across the country. Its cosmopolitan character was built on the contributions of diverse ethnic groups who lived, worked and prospered there together.

Unfortunately, history also reminds us that Warri has paid a terrible price because ethnic rivalries were allowed to spiral out of control. The violent conflicts that engulfed Warri and surrounding communities in the late 1990s and early 2000s left behind a trail of destruction that remains one of the saddest chapters in Delta State’s history. Lives were lost. Communities were displaced. Businesses shut down. Investments vanished. Families were torn apart.

The greatest tragedy was that everybody lost. The city that once buzzed with economic activities gradually lost its shine. Multinational corporations and indigenous businesses alike relocated their operations to safer environments. By some estimates, more than 90 percent of major companies operating in Warri either moved to Lagos, Port Harcourt or other locations where peace and security were guaranteed. The consequences are still visible today. And now, Governor Oboorevwori’s firm resolve are in his unspoken words – never again!

Many years after, many communities continue to grapple with the economic scars of those conflicts. Opportunities that could have transformed generations disappeared. Jobs were lost. Infrastructure development slowed. Investor confidence evaporated. Warri’s standing as one of Nigeria’s foremost commercial cities suffered a severe setback from which it has yet to fully recover. This painful history should serve as a warning to all stakeholders. And that is why Governor Oborevwori’s call for peace must be headed without further ado by all stakeholders.

No political disagreement, no ward delineation exercise, no contest over representation and certainly no ambition of a few individuals is worth shedding the blood of innocent people.

Political interests come and go. Elections are won and lost. Government policies change. Administrative decisions are reviewed. But once a life is lost, it can never be recovered. Once violence erupts, the consequences often extend far beyond those who initiated it. This is why Governor Oborevwori’s message deserves serious attention.

His declaration that “Warri is one family” was more than a political statement. It was a reminder of a fundamental truth. Regardless of ethnic differences, the destinies of the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw people are intertwined. They share the same geographical space. They benefit from the same economic opportunities. Their children attend the same schools. Their wives patronise the same markets. Their future prosperity depends on their ability to coexist peacefully.

The governor’s insistence on dialogue rather than confrontation reflects wisdom born out of experience. Every enduring solution in a plural society emerges through engagement, consultation and compromise. Violence has never solved complex political disputes. If anything, it only deepens divisions and creates fresh grievances.

Encouragingly, the ethnic leaders who attended the peace meeting appear to understand this reality. Chief Godspower Gbenekama, speaking for the Ijaw nationality, made an unequivocal commitment to peace. His assurance that no Ijaw man would attack any Itsekiri man or village sends a strong message to those who may have been contemplating violence.

Similarly, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, speaking on behalf of the Urhobo nationality, acknowledged that the delineation issue had become a threat to peace and welcomed the governor’s intervention. His declaration that all parties had agreed to sheath their swords demonstrates a willingness to place collective interest above sectional considerations.

The position of the Itsekiri nationality was equally noteworthy. Chief Ayirimi Emami stated clearly that despite the concerns and positions held by his people, they would respect the governor’s directive and return home with the message of peace. These commitments matter.

Words alone may not solve every disagreement, but responsible leadership begins with responsible words. When influential voices openly reject violence and embrace dialogue, they create an atmosphere that makes peace possible. The importance of this cannot be ignored in a society where leaders often shape public attitudes and actions.

Indeed, notable voices across Delta State have already begun endorsing Governor Oborevwori’s peace initiative. Political observers, community leaders and stakeholders have described the meeting as a crucial step toward de-escalating tensions and preserving inter-ethnic harmony in the oil-rich constituency. Their support is understandable.

Peace is the foundation upon which every meaningful development rests. Without peace, there can be no investment. Without peace, there can be no sustainable economic growth. Without peace, there can be no social progress. Roads, schools, hospitals and industries flourish only in environments where people feel safe and secure.

This reality lies at the heart of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which places peace and security among the key pillars of governance. The governor understands that development cannot thrive amidst instability. Every kilometre of road constructed, every school renovated, every healthcare facility upgraded and every investment attracted to Delta State depends on the preservation of peace. Warri, perhaps more than any other part of the state, exemplifies this connection between peace and prosperity.

The city possesses enormous potential. Its strategic location, entrepreneurial population and rich natural resources position it for significant growth. However, to realize that potential demands a stable and harmonious environment where all ethnic groups feel secure and respected.

The current disagreement over ward delineation should therefore be approached with patience, maturity and faith in democratic processes. There are legal institutions, constitutional mechanisms and administrative channels available for addressing grievances. Resorting to violence would only undermine the very interests that stakeholders seek to protect. The lessons of history are too costly to ignore.

Warri cannot afford another cycle of destruction. Delta State cannot afford another avoidable conflict. The region’s young people deserve opportunities, not violence. They deserve jobs, not displacement. They deserve development, not division. And as Governor Oboorevwori rightly observed, there is nothing that cannot be resolved through dialogue.

The challenge now is for community leaders, youth groups, political actors and ordinary citizens to translate the commitments made at Government House into practical reality on the ground. Peace accords are meaningful only when they are honoured. Public declarations are valuable only when they influence behaviour.

The choice before Warri is clear. One path leads back to the painful mistakes of the past — a path marked by hostility, destruction and collective loss. The other leads toward reconciliation, coexistence and shared prosperity. Governor Oborevwori has shown leadership by pointing the way toward peace. The leaders of the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw nationalities have responded positively by embracing dialogue and rejecting violence. Now it is the responsibility of every stakeholder to ensure that peace prevails.

Warri has suffered enough. Its people have paid too dearly for conflicts that produced no winners. The wounds of yesterday have not fully healed. Reopening them would be an unforgivable mistake. The future belongs not to those who wield swords but to those who build bridges. And in choosing dialogue over division, Governor Oborevwori has once again demonstrated that true leadership is measured not by the ability to command power, but by the wisdom to preserve peace. For Warri, for Delta State and for generations yet unborn, that peace must endure.

. Dr Akpovona, a Strategic Communications professional, writes from Asaba, Delta State.