Father Abraham Movement Leads Peace Rally, Urges Unity Among Warri Ethnic Nationalities

WARRI, Delta State - The Father Abraham Movement on Saturday, August 1, 2026, organised a major peace rally in Warri, Delta State, calling on the Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities to embrace unity, peaceful coexistence and collective development.

The rally, which drew hundreds of participants from different communities across the metropolis, moved through major streets of the oil-rich city, attracting traditional leaders, youth groups, women, religious leaders and other stakeholders who advocated an end to ethnic tensions and renewed commitment to peace.

Addressing journalists during the event, the Amananaowei of Warri and Environs, Chief Ebi Donbraye, described peace as the indispensable foundation for sustainable growth and development. He noted that no society can attain meaningful progress in an atmosphere of conflict and insecurity.

According to him, the people of Warri, irrespective of ethnic or cultural differences, share common aspirations and should therefore unite in pursuit of collective prosperity.

He appealed to the Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities to reject violence, hatred and divisive tendencies, stressing the need to build a peaceful and inclusive society where future generations can live harmoniously and benefit from the area's abundant human and natural resources.

Also speaking, Hon. Pastor Isaac Elder Hence said love, tolerance and unity remain critical ingredients for the socio-economic advancement of any community. He observed that persistent conflicts discourage investors, weaken economic activities and hinder development, while peaceful coexistence creates an enabling environment for investment, job creation and improved living standards.

In his remarks, Hon. Toju Binitie lamented the gradual decline of Warri's once-thriving economy, recalling the period when the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Warri Seaport served as major drivers of commerce, industrial growth and employment.

He urged the three ethnic nationalities to set aside their differences and work together in advocating the rehabilitation and revitalisation of critical economic infrastructure in the city. According to him, restoring such facilities would stimulate economic activities, create thousands of employment opportunities and reposition Warri as a leading commercial and industrial hub in the Niger Delta.

Binitie further called on residents to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions capable of deepening divisions, insisting that lasting peace remains the surest pathway to meaningful reforms, economic recovery and shared prosperity.

Similarly, Dr. Samson Onoriode Ikpesu described peace as a catalyst for growth, investment and social stability. He commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for initiatives aimed at promoting peace, unity and harmonious coexistence across the state.

He expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among government, traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations and residents, Warri would regain its reputation as one of Nigeria's most peaceful, economically vibrant and investment-friendly cities.

The organisers said the peace rally was part of the Father Abraham Movement's broader campaign to strengthen inter-ethnic harmony, foster dialogue and encourage collective action towards lasting peace and sustainable development in Warri and its surrounding communities.

Participants carried posters, banners, face-caps and T-shirts bearing messages promoting peace, unity, mutual respect and brotherhood, while calling on all residents to reject violence and embrace dialogue as the preferred means of resolving differences.