The Warri Media Group has issued a comprehensive statement addressing recent claims linking the Gbaramatu area—and by extension, the Kantu community—to the long-standing royal traditions of the Niger Delta. The media house emphasized the importance of historical accuracy and urged caution against revisionist narratives that could distort regional heritage.

In their official release, the Warri Media Group clarified that while Gbaramatu and Kantu share cultural and communal ties, Gbaramatu does not qualify as a traditional kingdom with a documented history spanning several centuries. They highlighted that the kingship in Gbaramatu was established as recently as 2017, with no continuity from ancient monarchies recognized across the Niger Delta, notably contrasting it with the historic Itsekiri monarchy founded by Ginuwa I in 1480—an institution that has maintained unbroken royal succession to date.

“While respecting the rights of communities to assert their identities,” the statement read, “it is imperative that such assertions are rooted in verified historical evidence. Misrepresenting or fabricating origins risks muddying our collective heritage and undermining regional cohesion.” The Warri Media Group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting factual narratives, emphasizing that the Itsekiri monarchy remains a verifiable and enduring institution within the Niger Delta.

Clarifying Land and Legal Ownership in the Region

The statement also addressed ongoing territorial discussions, reaffirming that the land housing the Gbaramatu communities is traditionally Itsekiri territory, specifically associated with the Omadino and Ugborodo communities. Legal records, including landmark court rulings, support this assertion.

Specifically, the Okerenghigho area—currently hosting the Nigerian Maritime University—was delineated as part of Omadino land in Suit No. W/30/1962 and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in SC/294/70. Additionally, Oporoza, now serving as the administrative hub of Gbaramatu, is situated within Ugborodo land, with legal backing from Suit No. W/124/76, which confirmed the permit granted to Ijaw settlers residing there under mutually agreed conditions.

These rulings continue to serve as authoritative references, underscoring the legal legitimacy of land claims in the region and providing context amidst ongoing territorial debates.

Call for Responsible Discourse and Mutual Respect

In closing, the Warri Media Group called on journalists, historians, and local communities to approach such sensitive issues with a balanced perspective rooted in documented facts. They stressed that maintaining the integrity of historical narratives is vital for fostering peace, mutual understanding, and respectful coexistence within Nigeria’s diverse Niger Delta region.

Signed on behalf of the Warri Media Group,
Augustus Akperi