PRESS STATEMENT
IIV DEFENDS OLU OF WARRI, DEMANDS EVIDENCE FROM ASARI-DOKUBO OVER ₦2.7 TRILLION PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE CLAIM
The Iwere Indigenous Voice (IIV) has taken note of recent statements attributed to Niger Delta activist, Alhaji Asari-Dokubo, alleging that His Imperial Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, and other individuals are beneficiaries of an alleged ₦2.7 trillion annual pipeline surveillance arrangement.
IIV considers it important to state clearly that an allegation of this magnitude should not be presented to the public as an established fact without credible documentary evidence.
We therefore challenge Asari-Dokubo to provide the documentary evidence supporting his claim, including the alleged contract, payment records, beneficiaries and the government agency responsible for the purported arrangement.
The Iwere Indigenous Voice will not remain silent when the name and institution of the Olu of Warri are brought into a controversy through unverified financial allegations.
The Olu of Warri is the traditional ruler of the Warri Kingdom, and his institution carries enormous historical, cultural and traditional significance to the Itsekiri people. Any public allegation capable of damaging the reputation of the throne must therefore be treated with responsibility and supported by verifiable facts.
IIV believes that legitimate questions concerning pipeline surveillance contracts and public expenditure should be subjected to transparency, accountability and due process. Such matters should not be reduced to ethnic confrontation, personal accusations or unsubstantiated figures.
If Asari-Dokubo possesses evidence that the Olu of Warri is connected to any alleged ₦2.7 trillion arrangement, we call on him to make such evidence available to the Nigerian public and the appropriate authorities.
Conversely, if the allegation cannot be substantiated, the public deserves a clear clarification rather than allowing an unverified claim to continue circulating.
The Iwere Indigenous Voice also calls on relevant government agencies to provide clarity on pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta, including the identities of contractors, the value and scope of contracts, and the beneficiaries where disclosure is legally permissible.
Our position is simple: the Olu of Warri should not be dragged into allegations without evidence.
We will continue to defend the dignity of the Olu of Warri and the Iwere/Itsekiri people, while equally demanding accountability, transparency and responsible public discourse from all actors in the Niger Delta.
The throne deserves respect.
The people deserve truth.
And every allegation deserves evidence.
Signed:
Signed:
Comr. Joseph Oritsetimeyin Ukonu
Secretary
Iwere Indigenous Voice
Comr. Abaikpa Isaac oritsegbubemi
PRO
Iwere Indigenous Voice (IIV)
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