The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has delivered a powerful and unequivocal warning to multinational oil corporations, including Chevron, operating within Itsekiri territories in Delta State. The monarch declared that peace without justice is no longer sustainable for communities that have endured over six decades of oil extraction with little to show for it but poverty and neglect.
A Royal Tour Amidst Rising Tensions
The monarch's stern message came on 12 January 2026, following an extensive tour of several riverine Itsekiri communities in the Warri North Local Government Area. This tour occurred against a backdrop of renewed protests targeting Chevron's operations. The Olu directed his remarks not only at the oil firms but also at government authorities and certain internal actors within Itsekiriland, whom he accused of betraying the collective interest of their own people for personal gain.
He highlighted the stark contradiction of immense wealth generated from Itsekiri land while the host communities remain in a state of underdevelopment. "For over 60 years, oil has flowed from our land, yet our people remain poor, discouraged, and tired," the Olu stated. He emphasized that this situation was not accidental but the result of systemic failures including weak regulation, divide-and-rule tactics employed by the companies, a culture of tolerated oppression, and internal compromise by a few Itsekiri individuals.
Direct Challenge to Chevron and Other Operators
Speaking directly to Chevron, from its Nigerian operations to its headquarters in Houston, USA, the traditional ruler cautioned the company against misinterpreting the Itsekiri people's historically peaceful disposition as a sign of weakness. He pointed out that Chevron's deliberate choice to maintain onshore operations, while other firms moved offshore to avoid direct community engagement, comes with a heightened responsibility to those host communities.
"Before your arrival as Gulf Oil, our people lived better lives than they do today," the Olu remarked. He issued a grave warning, noting that peaceful people can reach a point of desperation when decades of evidence suggest their welfare is irrelevant. He lamented that oil companies in the Niger Delta have often responded faster to threats than to peaceful dialogue, a approach he described as deeply unfortunate.
Internal Betrayal and a Call for Change
A significant portion of the royal address focused on internal challenges. The Olu condemned what he called internal betrayal, accusing some self-appointed leaders of acting as middlemen who trade the destiny of the Itsekiri nation for personal profit, thereby keeping communities divided and impoverished.
While reaffirming his commitment to peace, the monarch admitted it was becoming increasingly difficult to counsel patience in the face of persistent injustice. He made it clear that the palace would no longer be a passive observer to the suffering of the people amidst the abundant natural wealth extracted from their land.
The warning was extended beyond Chevron to include other major operators in the region. The Olu specifically named Renaissance (Shell’s successor), Seplat, Heritage, Conoil, Neconde/Nestoil, ND Western, Elcrest, Platform Petroleum, and Sahara Energy. He urged them all to learn from the failures of the past and adopt a new, more equitable approach to their relationship with host communities.
