Warri, Delta – In a passionate plea for peace and restraint, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has issued a stern caution against the misuse of social media to incite crises and spread falsehoods, emphasizing that such actions threaten the fragile harmony in the oil-rich Warri region.

Speaking at the funeral service of the late Mrs. Grace Agbolayah at the African Church, Central Missionary Diocese in Warri, the governor urged residents, particularly youth and those in the diaspora, to prioritize unity over division.

"In all, what we need is unity. I have witnessed crisis and I know its consequences. People are using social media to cause problems—this must stop," Oborevwori declared, drawing from personal experiences of past ethnic clashes that devastated communities.

He recounted how his father's home in Igoruwe was spared destruction during a previous crisis simply because it was marked as "Sheriff Papa House," while neighboring properties were razed.

"I want to develop Warri because this is my home, and some of the young people today have not enjoyed the Warri we experienced back then," he added, reaffirming his administration's commitment to equitable growth without ethnic favoritism.

The governor's remarks come at a time of heightened tensions in Warri, a multi-ethnic hub home to Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo communities, where longstanding land disputes and resource rivalries have occasionally flared into violence.

Oborevwori specifically called on leaders and elders of these groups to "shun divisive tendencies and embrace peace," stressing that sustainable development in Delta State hinges on collective harmony.

He also implored parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activities, warning against the dangers of hate campaigns that amplify misinformation and erode trust.

Critics, however, point to broader challenges in policing digital spaces. Delta's diverse population and history of militancy make it a hotspot for online rumors, which can escalate offline quickly.

The governor's office has not yet announced specific enforcement measures, but his words echo national calls for digital responsibility, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent advisory to "verify before you amplify" at a media summit.

As Delta continues its push under the MORE Agenda—focusing on infrastructural renewal, human capital development, and social investment—Oborevwori's message serves as a reminder that progress requires more than policy; it demands a collective rejection of the tools that once fueled division.