“We The Itsekiri Did Not Just Fall From Heaven, We Are Yorubas” – Hon. Kingsley Tenumah

April 22, 2025

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Itsekiri people have asserted their identity as part of the Yoruba nation, emphasizing that their struggles in Delta State have implications for the broader Yoruba community.

This declaration comes amidst tensions surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency.

“We the Itsekiri do not just fall from heaven, we are Yorubas,” Says Hon. Kingsley Tenumah, Former councillor Warri South LGA

“We are back to our brothers, and what is happening in Delta State in Itsekiri affects the Yorubas.”

The Itsekiri people are pushing back against what they perceive as attempts by outsiders, particularly from Bayelsa and Rivers states, to influence their affairs.

“Anytime we have issues, you will always see the larger Ijaws from Bayelsa, Rivers state coming to speak on issues they know nothing about,” he mentioned

The group’s assertion of their Yoruba identity is not just a matter of cultural pride but also a call to action for the Yoruba community to recognize the challenges faced by the Itsekiri people.

“We are not just fighting for our rights; we are fighting for the rights of our people and our place within the Yoruba nation,” He emphasized