His Excellency Musa Umaru Yaradua


THREAT TO STAMP OUR COMMUNITIES OUT OF EXISTENCE:  SAVE OUR SOULS (SOS) BY THE OKRIKA-IJAWS OF PORT HARCOURT



The recent announcement by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State that he would demolish all the waterfront settlements in Port Harcourt, has caused a hysterical wave of emotion to sweep across the length and breadth of Rivers State.  This thunderous announcement to people of Port Harcourt, and indeed, the whole of Rivers State, is a signal that a different type of conflict is about to kick off in the Niger Delta.  We are tired of conflicts in this part, and because we want peace in our homes, we are forwarding this petition to you to save our lives.


2. Since the creation of Rivers State in 1967 with Port Harcourt as its capital there has been a lingering woeful misunderstanding between the Ikwerre-Ibos and Okrika-Ijaws over Port Harcourt.  It is the root of the upland/riverine politicio-tribal dichotomy in the State for some time, though different Governors used political and administrative skill to keep it under control until now when an Ikwerre-Ibo Governor appeared on the scene.

3. For a clearer understanding of our dilemma permit us to give in brief the history of Port Harcourt, the source of the continuing conflict between the Okrika-Ijaws and the Ikwerre-Ibos.  In 1908 when coal was discovered in Enugu, the Colonial Authorities decided to establish a sea-port and railway terminus in these parts to facilitate its export.  Chief Daniel Oju Kalio, the Paramount Ruler of Okrika at the time co-operated and negotiated with them for the acquisition of land for the purpose.  He convinced the residents of the several Okrika villages in the area to surrender their land, assuring them that their interests would be protected not merely by way of monetary compensation but also in terms of adequate arrangement for resettlement in the neighbourhood.   



4. Because the Colonial Government wanted more land than the Okrika-Ijaws could give, the negotiation for the acquisition was extended to the neighbouring Ikwerre-Ibos villages, who, along with the Okrika-Ijaws, eventually executed the 1913 Port Harcourt Agreement with the Colonial officials.  Please find attached a copy of the 1913    Port Harcourt Agreement.

5. In view of the fact that the Okrika-Ijaws had more of the        Port Harcourt land, involving over 25 of their villages, they also received more than the Ikwerre-Ibos (Diobu people and five other villages), of the money paid by the Colonial Authorities, on the acquired land.  And for precisely the same reason, their Paramount Ruler, Chief Daniel Oju Kalio was the Native Ruler appointed to be In-Charge of the whole area as British Colonial Agent, in keeping with the Dual Mandate System of Indirect Rule at the time.

6. The British Colonial Authorities also made arrangement for the resettlement of the displaced natives.  For the Ikwerre-Ibos (the people of Diobu) a place was bought from Omo-Eme (Rumueme) for the new Diobu town and farms because they were farmers.  For the displaced Okrika-Ijaws (the people of Obumuton Chiri) a place was bought too for them from the people of Eleme, but being fishermen, there were no seas or rivers close by for their fishing activities.  This was the crux of their problem.  Thus, whereas the Ikwerre-Ibos of Diobu accepted their new site bought for them, the Okrika-Ijaws of Obumuton Chiri, refused what was bought to resettle them because it was different from their traditional riverine environment in which they could undertake their main economic activity, fishing.  Besides, it was not contiguous with other Okrika-Ijaw settlements.  And so, they decided to stay at the Waterfronts of their original homestead in their respective villages, and have remained there ever since 1913, a period of 97 years.



7. It is rather unfortunate that the Colonial Authorities at the time made no alternative arrangement for the displaced Okrika-Ijaws of Obumuton Chiri.  They failed to understand the plight of the native people whose land had been acquired under what we may describe as abnormal circumstances; indeed abnormal because no community would under normal circumstances, ever agree to give out for acquisition, all of its God-given land on which they have lived from time immemorial, just on the basis of commercial transaction.  Colonialism taking such a devious turn was not only in these parts, it happened elsewhere too, especially, in the Americas and Australia.  Indeed, the colonial situation was not a normal or ordinary situation in which one could say that the scars of others ought to have taught some caution to those who agreed to the acquisition of their land. 

8. We of this generation now know why history is atimes described cynically, as a vast laboratory in which events have made countless experiments with men, with tribes, with states and even with races.  Ours is a vivid example.  Through many wrongs, through all the buffetings of hostile neighbours, we have lived along the Waterfronts of our original homestead for the past 97 years since 1913.  As Nigerians we have no other homes whatsoever but here in Port Harcourt.  And because the offsprings of the Okrika-Ijaws displaced in 1913 have regularly been denied their natural rights and have faced political marginalization in the extreme, they have with much grief and anger, acquired the name ‘Port Harcourt Aborigines (Wakirike)’.  And the worst is about to happen to them.  A man from the rival Ikwerre-Ibo ethnic group having the conflict with the Okrika-Ijaws, is about to put his political weight and authority as Governor on their side, ready to use public resources, using all manner of excuses in order to demolish our villages (the Waterfront Settlements) with a total population of about 150,000 people.   



9. There has been a deliberate plan by the Ikwerre-Ibos to stamp any traces of Okrika-Ijaws out of existence here in Port Harcourt.  First, they have tried to remove the name ‘Okrika’ given to streets/roads in       Port Harcourt.  Right now they have through their sons in high Government positions, recommended that Okrika-Ijaw Local Government Areas should be removed from the Port Harcourt Senatorial District and be made part of the Ogoni Senatorial District. 

10. Besides, they have for long denied equal franchise to all people living in the Okrika-Ijaw area of the Port Harcourt City, that is, the area described as Port Harcourt South.  In 1991 for example, out of a total registered population of 406,738 in Port Harcourt, the Okrika-Ijaw Area numbered 212,696 i.e. about 52%, while the Ikwerre-Ibo area had a population of 194,580 i.e. about 48% at the time.  With a total of 20 Wards in Port Harcourt at the time, the average representation per ward should have been about 20,336 persons per Councilor.  That at the least would have kept representation at par (10 Councilors to 10 Councilors between the two opposing areas).  But that was not to be.  With a population of 212,696, the Okrika-Ijaw area of Port Harcourt was given only 4 Wards to produce 4 Councilors, while with a population of 194,580, the Ikwerre-Ibo area of Port Harcourt was given 14 Wards with 14 Councilors.  Even the two mixed Wards were delineated in such a way as to favour the Ikwerre-Ibos, making them to produce 16 Councilors in all as against the 4 from the Okrika-Ijaw part of            Port Harcourt.

11. With the situation as explained above, the average representation in the Ikwerre-Ibo part of Port Harcourt was one Councilor to 12,161 persons whereas in Okrika-Ijaw part of Port Harcourt, it was one Councilor to 53,174 persons.  By this inequitable and iniquitous basis of representation, the quality of the average vote in the Ikwerre-Ibo area was 1/12,161 as compared with 1/53,174 on the Okrika-Ijaw part of            Port Harcourt was slightly below one quarter (ź) of the value of the average vote in the Ikwerre-Ibo area.  And even now, that ugly and indefensible situation rather than being remedied has in fact, become worse.  Out of the current population of 541,115 in Port Harcourt, the Okrika-Ijaw area has 295,551 i.e. about 55%, whereas the Ikwerre-Ibo area has 245,564 i.e. 45%.  No matter how one looks at it politically, democratically or even morally, it represents one of the worst areas of suppression or marginalization in the history of our nation. 

12. Let us point out with a few specific examples.  One really outrageous case was that of the area consisting of Port Harcourt Township, Nembe Waterside, Gbundu (Bundu), Marine Base, Abuja Estate and Borikiri, all in the Okrika-Ijaw part of Port Harcourt.  It had a population of 130,619 but was given 3 Ward for 3 Councilors. Compare that with the Ikwerre-Ibo area of Ogbunabali and Orije with a population of 18,081 but given 4 Wards for 4 Councilors.  Also compare the situation in which the Okrika-Ijaw area of Amadi-Ama, Ukukalama, Somiari, Fimie, Azuabie, Okuru, Ozuboko and Abuloma, all with a population of 66,587 at the time was given only one Ward for one Councilor, while the Ikwerre-Ibo area also given one Ward with one Councilor was Nkpolu-Orogbum with a population of just 3,267.  It is unimaginable and in fact atrocious for people to permit such despicable disparity between citizens supposed to be equal before the law in this Country. 


13. With the situation as stated above, the Ikwerre-Ibos have controlled the Port Harcourt City Council.  While we have been grossly under-represented, they have enjoyed enormous over-representation.  With 45% of the population the Ikwerre-Ibos control the majority Okirika-Ijaw area with 55% of the population.  And that has made them become over-bearing, often mis-using power by arbitrarily changing names of Streets bearing Okrika-Ijaw names.  The political hostility (or is it tribal hatred?) also shows itself with the invidious plans being hatched to stamp our communities here in Port Harcourt out of existence using excuses such as illegal occupation, squatting, criminal activities and what not.  They have poured on the Okrika-Ijaws the worst insults any community can ever endure for so long.  We have never complained about it.  Rather, we have concealed our anger because, as our elders say, ‘you have to hide your wounded finger, or you will bump it on everything’.  And now, not being satisfied with the political suppression and oppression, they are determined to demolish our communities because we are asking Government to create for us a      Port Harcourt South Local Government Area.  They do not want to see it happen, because they think it is inimical to their ethnic group interest, and so wish to thwart it through the proposed demolition exercise. 





14. Mr. President Sir, viewing the whole bewildering array of political variables that have helped to shape State Government policies here in Port Harcourt, we feel so much perplexed.  Despite the frustrating aspects we have explained, a consistent effort is being made by those in authority and their ethnic backers to deny the very existence of our villages/communities here in Port Harcourt.  They claim and tell the world that Waterfront Communities did not exist in Port Harcourt until the 1990’s.  In their chauvinism and determination to see these settlements wiped out, the Ikwerre-Ibos deliberately closed their eyes on facts of history in the sense of the existence of the communities as recorded more than half a Century ago (60 years to be specific).  In the Supplement to the Eastern Nigeria Gaz. No. 38 Vol. 14 dated 13th May, 1965, Pages B.129 to B.132, there were listed the following Waterfront Settlements:

www.okrikaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/letterToPresident.doc+delta+state+politics">http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:AxPenyqNwe0J:www.okrikaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/letterToPresident.doc+delta+state+politics%22+ibo+governor%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

there is nothing tribal in the demolision of dirty water fronts.na wah for nigerians oh.ikwerres never claimed okrikaland.i think it is vice versa.anybody that knows ph well can draw the line.old g.r.a. ,trans-amadi and abonema wharf are the boundary points that separate ikwerre and okrika.the population of diobu far exceeds population of borokiri,bundu and marine base.i therefore wonder how okrika is more populated.okrika people that i know are peace-loving and should therefore join hands with governor amaechi's government to clean up the dirty and shanty water fronts.

gowon and his cabinet caused all this with their divide and rule strategy.

Amaechi should leave the waterside houses alone! In the 60's, 70's even after the war, people lived there peacefully until his boss Odili (he was a member of that Govt.) decided that PDP must use violence to loot the treasury of RV state. Now the boys they armed have grown wings and the solution he can only think about is to invoke a man-made disaster to displace an indigenous people from their abode. How very apt ?

Where is he expecting the people to go to? Elele or Ubima?

ow11:

Amaechi should leave the waterside houses alone! In the 60's, 70's even after the war, people lived there peacefully until his boss Odili (he was a member of that Govt.) decided that PDP must use violence to loot the treasury of RV state. Now the boys they armed have grown wings and the solution he can only think about is to invoke a man-made disaster to displace an indigenous people from their abode. How very apt ?

Where is he expecting the people to go to? Elele or Ubima?

most of those people are igbos and calabar people.state government has somewhere in etche for them.anybody that claims he inherited the land is a big liar.

@ow11.just take a trip there and you will understand why the settlements are kind of eye sore for a city like port-harcourt.

The riverine people chooses to call the Ikwerres, Igbo when it suits them. Yet, they have constantly made the Ikwerres to see themselves as Ijaws. Wonders shall never end.
It is not new in Nigeria to bulldoze slumpy towns. A similar thing happened in Maroko Lagos state in the 90's. I suggest Amaechi abandons this plan. I t is very difficult for people to move away from an area where their children and parents are buried. It is painful. But in the event of any demolition, the Okrikas should be properly rehoused.

Andre Uweh:

The riverine people chooses to call the Ikwerres, Igbo when it suits them. Yet, they have constantly made the Ikwerres to see themselves as Ijaws. Wanders shall never end.
It is not new in Nigeria to bulldoze slumpy towns. A similar thing happened in Maroko Lagos state in the 90's. I suggest Amaechi abandons this plan. I t is very difficult for people to move away from an area where their children and parents are buried. It is painful. But in the event of any demolition, the Okrika's should be properly rehoused.

That is how politics is played in mixed areas. It is very difficult for African societies to manage themselves where there is homogeneous lineage how much less when they are mixed up?. If I'll have my way, let the states be divided according to tribes. Here is another example of the same problem:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-339257.0.html

Aloy~Emeka:

That is how politics is played in mixed areas. It is very difficult for African societies to manage themselves where there is homogeneous lineage how much less when they are mixed up?. If I'll have my way, let the states be divided according to tribes.

that is thesame mistake made by gowon.what is a tribe?i cant say for others but in igbo where i come from almost every village sees themselves as a separate tribe having different dialect and culture from the next.how many states will you create out of igboland?

I meant ethnic group and not tribe.

Rubbish

Man, igbos are the shit lol.

how do you get hated everwhere you go cause you go there and kick so much ass natives can't compete.

the shit!

Damn!!!! Are the Ikwerre people now  Igbo? I coulda sworn they were non Igbos but now shiit aint going well for the "Okrika warlords" these non Igbos have now reversed and became Igbo even without the proud Igbos knowing.

Its like this Edwin Clark who used to say that there were no Igbo in River state called Odili from Ndoni an Igbo and said ND should not support him since he is Igbo even though he is Rivers state native.

RUBBISH!!!!!! Biko let Amaechi do his job. He simply needs to compensate and make sure those living in those nasty swampy areas are relocated to a much much better place where they can continue and live better life sef.

From Akwaibom, Rivers, to Warri these Edwin clarks are always brewing up trouble and whipping up ethnic sentiments. Can we ever live n peace with eacother in the East?

Ikengawo:

Man, igbos are the shit lol.

how do you get hated everwhere you go cause you go there and kick so much ass natives can't compete.

the shit!

udezue:

Damn!!!! Are the Ikwerre people now  Igbo? I coulda sworn they were non Igbos but now shiit aint going well for the "Okrika warlords" these non Igbos have now reversed and became Igbo even without the proud Igbos knowing.

Its like this Edwin Clark who used to say that there were no Igbo in River state called Odili from Ndoni an Igbo and said ND should not support him since he is Igbo even though he is Rivers state native.

RUBBISH!!!!!! Biko let Amaechi do his job. He simply needs to compensate and make sure those living in those nasty swampy areas are relocated to a much much better place where they can continue and live better life sef.

From Akwaibom, Rivers, to Warri these Edwin clarks are always brewing up trouble and whipping up ethnic sentiments. Can we ever live n peace with eacother in the East?

This tribalist never fails.

STFU^^^^^^ Idiot.

Anyway if Amaechi can avoid that area and invest in areas where people will appreciate his work without creating issues then he should go for it but if he has to demolish that area then so be it. I don't see how that is Igbo hegemony. BTW I thought upper land non native Igbos were the oppressors? Osule? People bicker over stupid shiit. Imagine in 2009 people fighting to retain a swamps and shanti towns when they can live better? If I was a governor and decide to renovate Onitsha areas or even Aba areas that are eyesores will I be accused of wanting to wipe out Igbos or I guess Onitsha / Ngwa people. Nawaoooo Eastern Nigerians are so complicated especially the mba mmiri area.

Why can't Nigerians learn 2see themselves as one.
Im patiently waiting 4dat day.

Ikengawo:

Man, igbos are the shit lol.

how do you get hated everwhere you go cause you go there and kick so much ass natives can't compete.

the shit!

the fucc is funny to you?

udezue:

STFU^^^^^^ Idiot.

Anyway if Amaechi can avoid that area and invest in areas where people will appreciate his work without creating issues then he should go for it but if he has to demolish that area then so be it. I don't see how that is Igbo hegemony. BTW I thought upper land non native Igbos were the oppressors? Osule? People bicker over stupid shiit. Imagine in 2009 people fighting to retain a swamps and shanti towns when they can live better? If I was a governor and decide to renovate Onitsha areas or even Aba areas that are eyesores will I be accused of wanting to wipe out Igbos or I guess Onitsha / Ngwa people. Nawaoooo Eastern Nigerians are so complicated especially the mba mmiri area.

Andre Uweh:

The riverine people chooses to call the Ikwerres, Igbo when it suits them. Yet, they have constantly made the Ikwerres to see themselves as Ijaws. Wanders shall never end.
It is not new in Nigeria to bulldoze slumpy towns. A similar thing happened in Maroko Lagos state in the 90's. I suggest Amaechi abandons this plan. I t is very difficult for people to move away from an area where their children and parents are buried. It is painful. But in the event of any demolition, the Okrikas should be properly rehoused.

Ethnic confusion!

The same stupidity is playing out in Delta State, where some ignorant people will want to claim that there are no Igbos.

It seems being Igbo is now a periodic time-dependent function.

As the Einstein in this house, permit me to develop a Mathematical Equation of Great Precision, Accuracy and Harmony with the situation of Igbos and 'non-Igbo Igbos ' in the East, showing that the Anomaly is just a periodical function of eye opening, ,

Still working--------------.but please be aware that this Sinusodial change in the identity of "non-Igbo Igbos " is relative to the progress of the Igbos

Still working--------

Andre Uweh:

The riverine people chooses to call the Ikwerres, Igbo when it suits them. Yet, they have constantly made the Ikwerres to see themselves as Ijaws. Wanders shall never end.
It is not new in Nigeria to bulldoze slumpy towns. A similar thing happened in Maroko Lagos state in the 90's. I suggest Amaechi abandons this plan. I t is very difficult for people to move away from an area where their children and parents are buried. It is painful. But in the event of any demolition, the Okrikas should be properly rehoused.

RichyBlacK:

Ethnic confusion!

The same stupidity is playing out in Delta State, where some ignorant people will want to claim that there are no Igbos.

It seems being Igbo is now a periodic time-dependent function.

So, even Rivers people agree that Ikwerre people are indeed Igbo. Interesting. Sebi na democracy dem want?

RichyBlacK:

Ethnic confusion!

The same stupidity is playing out in Delta State, where some ignorant people will want to claim that there are no Igbos.

It seems being Igbo is now a periodic time-dependent function.

Identity crisis.

First military coup was led by Nzeogwu from Mid Western region but they claimed it was an Igbo coup and used that excuse to kill tens of thousands of Igbos

It seems that you become Igbo when it suits the discussion.

Rivers state was created to weaken the Eastern region and to cause disunity under Ojukwu. They were happy then even when a lot of Igbo land were carved out and given to Rivers.

I don't see any reason why they should be complaining now.

This is democracy and if care is not taken all the governors will be Igbo. Ikwerre - Igbo.

Rumuibekwe - Umuibekwe
Rumumasi - Umumasi
Rumukwurushi - Umukwurushi
Rumuola - Umuola

Sounds familiar? Lies will always fall like a pack of cards.

There has never been a better time to be an Igbo all through Nigeria's history.

All the cold war machinations are begining to collapse on its own weight. I only hope the people of Rivers State will wake up from their slumber a lot quicker and realise that there is no benefit in unnecessarily undermining their neighbours. You would think the benefit of hindsight would have taught them that.

abeg my brother make una let us get peace for nija,una own don dey too much? u no no say democracy na matter of number?

And Ikwerre Ninjas and Okrika Warlords continue their dance of death. . . . . whats new in PH?

mikeansy:

[size=18pt]There has never been a better time to be an Igbo all through Nigeria's history.[/size]

All the cold war machinations are begining to collapse on its own weight. I only hope the people of Rivers State will wake up from their slumber a lot quicker and realise that there is no benefit in unnecessarily undermining their neighbours. You would think the benefit of hindsight would have taught them that.

@mikeansy
i gbadu ur statement die----------------------------------

Back to who owns port harcourt. The answer is me. Joking.

On if the orkrika people are ijaws. I am checking out the information already. i would post something.

The Ikwerri or orkirika people both combine do not have 25% of the population of port harcourt. So they can not determine who the governor of the state is. Most people in port harcourt are from other state of Nigeria because it is nigeria oil city.

Port harcourt is a multi ethnics city.

This is where the oil is. And every nigerian want a job from port harcourt, people move there everyday from all over nigeria. Most people in port harcourt are NON NAIVE to port harcourt.  they come from everywhere.

I want you to judge for yourself , who own port harcourt.

The red portion is port harcourt before the civil war. This is based on roof of the houses.

The blue portion are likely Ikwerri homes or villages   based on the name you gave us.The roofs are old.  I do not know if those name are correct. Because some of the name some people are sending to google are not correct. Like calling agbor a different name to gain political ground.  .

The brown is Rumueme , which you claim was sold.

The yellow square is old port harcourt former stadium.

The green line are most likely Orkirika homes, base on the way they are build. close to the waterfront with canoe.

While the black line is port harcourt after the civil war and state creation. Most roof are mostly new.


  If you add the ikwerri blue line and orkirika green, you can see they both can not determine who the governor would be based on one man , one vote. most people are non naive.  Port harcourt is like lagos, the naive of lagos are out numbered. same thing for port harcourt.


Port harcourt is a multi ethnics city. anyone could give the name to those area after the civil war.

Note that Yenagoe was where Isaac boro decleared the republic of Niger delta and not Port Harcourt. what was his reason, why he did not decleared Republic of Niger delta at port harcourt, but choose to declear it at Yenagoe.  Let your mind make that decision. Isaac boro did not decleared Niger delta in port harcourt but in Yenagoa.

becomrich,:

would be back

With your compass or what?. Do you have maps to settle this issue for them once and for all?

Ibime:

And Ikwerre Ninjas and Okrika Warlords continue their dance of death. . . . . whats new in PH?

I hinted you about some places being mosquito-infested swamps in Rivers State. The only warlord in Ijo is a resident fisherman.

On a serious note, I do not want any form of fracas between Okirika-Ijo and Ikwerre-Igbo in Rivers State or anywhere else. This is the time of harmony and camaraderie to flourish among these people - Ijo of eastern region of Nigeria and Ndigbo because the colonial contraption called Nigeria is teetering on collapse.

Ikenga nwa Awo omama
Biko stop this your attack on your kinsmen. What have they done wrong in this instance?. Enough is enough.

na de kind of incompetence wey dey kill us this governor rotimi amaechi dey display.  de reaction wey him dey get to his plan  should have been 100% expected.

a competent leader for don take measures to mitigate de risk of negative reactions and potential tribal war wey fit follow. why him no call de elders in, explain wettin him wan do, tell dem how him go resettle dem, and ask for their help in his waterfront projects?

amaechi should have been more sensitive.

@ndu chux, you are just sitting behind your computer from God knows where, most probably the desert and typing dust.

phantom:

@ndu chux, you are just sitting behind your computer from God knows where, most probably the desert and typing dust.

me i tink say de mature ting to do na to agree or disagree with my opinion and tell me why, so that i fit learn from you or vice-versa. why de juvenile statement na?  i wonder whether i hit a raw nerve.

abeg tell me wettin dey wrong with my statement, nevermind whether na onitsha i dey or oshogbo, or china.

phantom:

@ndu chux,  you are just sitting behind your computer from God knows where, most probably the desert and typing dust. 

No he is not typing dust. Amechi should have been more sensitive and what he is doing is total injustice to Ijaws.