Briga News Nigeria
Tension erupted in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, as the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Western Zone and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) have rejected claims that two Ijaw communities are part of Ughelli Kingdom.
The groups converged on the Palace of the Ebenanaowei of Tarakiri Kingdom in Adobu, Patani LGA, following a recent statement credited to the Ovie of Ughelli, HRM Wilson Ojakovo Oharisi III, claiming Odorubu and Oduophori communities as part of his Kingdom.
The visit was at the invitation of His Royal Majesty, Dr. Danladi Foubiri Owoupele, MD, PhD (Urology), Angulu 1, Ebenanaowei of Tarakiri Kingdom, Patani LGA, Delta State.
In his address, HRM Dr. Danladi Owoupele said Tarakiri Kingdom exists both in Bayelsa and Delta States. He further stated emphatically that Patani LGA is made up of three Ijaw Kingdoms namely, Kabowei Kingdom, Kunbowei Kingdom and Tarakiri Kingdom respectively, and that there are no Urhobos in Patani LGA. According to him, Patani LGA is purely an Ijaw LGA.
He gave a brief history of Tarakiri communities in Patani LGA which include Adobu, Odorubu and Oduophori, recounting how he grew up in Adobu community.
The monarch further stated that the people of Ughelli are descendants of a female child of Tarakiri Kingdom, and warned that anyone claiming Odorubu and Oduophori as Urhobo communities should desist. He stressed that the people of Odorubu and Oduophori are bona fide Ijaw people of Tarakiri Kingdom, Patani LGA, Delta State.
Speaking during the visit, Barrister Preye Nowell, Chairman, INC Western Zone, reaffirmed that Odorubu and Oduophori remain Ijaw and Tarakiri territories and cannot be annexed.
The delegation then moved to Odorubu community where they pinned the INC National Flag, signifying ownership of the land and its people as Tarakiri.
Speaking with Mike Ekiye TV Ijaw Podcast, High Chief Obafako God-Day, Amananaowei of Odorubu, declared: “We are Ijaw, we are Tarakiri, not Ughelli.”
From Odorubu, the delegation moved to Oduophori community where residents trooped out with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Oduophori is Ijaw and Tarakiri, Not Ughelli” and “Odorubu is Ijaw.”
The atmosphere was peaceful but firm as the Amananaowei of Oduophori community also reaffirmed their Ijaw identity and rejected the Ughelli claim.
The delegation later handed over and pinned the INC flag in Oduophori, signifying that it is Ijaw territory.
The people of Odorubu and Oduophori have unanimously reaffirmed their identity as Ijaw people of Tarakiri Kingdom and called on the general public to disregard any claim suggesting otherwise.
Source: Mike Ekiye TV
