In a statement released via his official facebook page following widespread social media reports, Chief Ibori said he was initially shocked upon hearing of the alleged incident, noting that in his decades of living in Urhobo land — including his eight years in office — he had never encountered any festival of such nature.
“I was contacted about this matter two days ago, and my first reaction was disbelief. I felt it was necessary to verify the facts before making any public comment,” he stated.
The two terms governor emphasized that violence against any individual, particularly vulnerable persons, must be unequivocally condemned, adding that no cultural justification can excuse such acts.
Following inquiries, the Odidigborigbo 1 of africa revealed that preliminary information obtained from the Ozoro traditional institution indicated that the custodian of tradition — whose authority is required to sanction such festivals — was not consulted. This, he said, raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the event in question.
He further cautioned against generalizing the actions of a few individuals to entire ethnic groups, stressing that it is both unfair and dangerous to implicate the Urhobo and Isoko people in the alleged incident.
Addressing circulating claims, Chief Ibori firmly debunked suggestions that the Ekene festival or any other traditional celebration among the Urhobo and Isoko people involves immoral or abusive practices.
According to him, such festivals are historically rooted, spiritually significant, and guided by strong moral values that uphold community integrity and respect for women.
“What happened is condemnable, but it must be clearly stated that there is no ‘rape festival’ in Urhobo or Isoko culture,” he said.
He commended security agencies for stepping in to investigate the matter and expressed confidence that their findings would clarify the situation and dispel misinformation.
Looking ahead, the former governor pledged to collaborate with the leadership of Delta State University and the Ozoro traditional council to engage local youths. The goal, he said, is to reinforce cultural values and ensure that actions capable of undermining societal norms and the dignity of women are not tolerated.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions across Delta State and beyond, with many calling for a thorough investigation and accountability for any wrongdoing.