Oborevwori Acts to Prevent Conflict, Stops INYC Executives’ Swearing-In

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Thursday stepped in to prevent a potential crisis in Warri by calling off the planned inauguration of executives of the now-defunct Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC).

The inauguration, set to happen at Odion Road in Warri South Local Government Area, had already raised security concerns among stakeholders and community leaders before it was canceled.

Sources within the government say the governor acted after receiving a call from the highest authority in the Warri Kingdom to halt the event at the chosen venue.

A widely shared video shows Chief Wilson Olley speaking to Itsekiri youths at the unfinished building where the inauguration was to take place. He announced that the event would no longer go ahead and stressed that the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth (UIY) remains the only officially recognized youth organization of the Itsekiri nation.

In an exclusive interview with Warri Sentinel, Chief Olley said “There was no inauguration this morning. There was no inauguration for Itsekiri Youth Council. That body was dissolved by Ogiame, Atuwatse III. So there is no information about that. And we have the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth which is the outstanding Itsekiri Youth group.”

At the time of reporting, no additional official comments had been made about the canceled event.