Why Alaafin Declared This Warri Tribe as Yoruba by Blood

In a powerful affirmation of ancestral ties, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has declared the Itsekiri people of Warri as true Yoruba by origin — a statement that is already stirring fresh conversations about ethnic identity and cultural roots in Nigeria.

The monarch made this bold pronouncement over the weekend when a prominent delegation of Warri chiefs and Itsekiri elders, led by the Iyasere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amatsereuleghe, visited the Alaafin’s palace to congratulate him on his ascension to the throne.

“This is not just a courtesy visit — it is a reconnection,” Chief Amatsereuleghe said, stressing the deep cultural ties that exist between the Itsekiri and the Yoruba. “Our history, our language, our traditions — they all point back to the same root. We are Yoruba by blood, and we’ve always known it.”

Oba Owoade welcomed the delegation warmly, describing the visit as a homecoming. He affirmed that the Itsekiri are “bound by blood” to the Yoruba and deserve full recognition within the larger Yoruba nation.

“What affects the Itsekiri affects all Yoruba people,” the Alaafin stated. “We share the same ancestry and values. This is the time for unity, not division. And I will do everything within my power to bridge whatever gaps exist.”

He also shared a personal connection to the region, revealing that he served in Warri during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year — a period that helped him understand the Itsekiri culture and appreciate their Yoruba heritage more deeply.

The Alaafin’s remarks come at a time when identity politics and historical origins remain hot-button issues in Nigeria. For the Itsekiri, who have long felt sidelined in national conversations about Yoruba identity due to their geographical placement in Delta State, this public endorsement from one of the most revered Yoruba thrones is both symbolic and strategic.

Oba Owoade concluded by calling for deeper political, cultural, and economic collaborations between Yoruba-descended communities across the country and the diaspora, stating: “We must stand together and speak with one voice. History is watching.”

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