Abstract:
The Arogbo-Ijo and Apoi are sub-groups of Ijo of the Niger Delta, located in the Western
Delta region of Ondo State, Nigeria. Existing studies on the Arogbo-Ijo and Apoi have
focused largely on issues of origins, economic and political developments of each group,
but paid little attention to how the changing identities of these two groups have affected
their relationship. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the changing identities
and inter-group relations among the Arogbo-Ijo and Apoi from 1915, when they were
brought under Ondo Province, to 2007, when a violent conflict occurred between them, with
a view to analysing the economic and political dynamics of their relationship.
The historical method was adopted, while the interpretative design was used. Primary and
secondary sources were utilised. Primary sources included archival materials, namely,
government gazettes, Intelligence Reports, magazines and newspapers from the National
Archives, Ibadan. Oral interviews were conducted with 96 purposively selected key
informants from Arogbo-Ijo (58), Apoi (26), Okitipupa (3), Ondo (2) and Akure (7),
comprising 28 community leaders, 29 civil servants, 18 politicians, nine fish traders, three
palm wine tappers, four religious leaders, four lecturers and one canoe-carver, aged between
40 and 97, due to their knowledge of Arogbo-Ijo and Apoi relations. Secondary sources
included books, journals, and doctoral theses, sourced from the libraries of the University
of Ibadan; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Benin; and University of
Port Harcourt. Data were subjected to historical analysis.
The Arogbo-Ijo migrated to their present location with the Gbaraun identity, which later
changed to Ukparama, and thereafter to Arogbo-Ijo. Though still Ijo-speaking, they also
became fluent in Yoruba. While the Apoi and Ijo cultural traits remained intact, the
linguistic identity changed to Yoruba. The British rule, which brought them under the same
administrative umbrella, namely, Ondo Province (1915) and Ese-Odo District Council
(1955), introduced new changes that affected their hitherto existing economic and political
relationship. In 1955, the Arogbo-Ijo wards, Ukpe and Erubiri, changed to ‘Ijaw-Arogbo’,
while the Apoi wards, Kiribo and Barate, changed to ‘Ijaw-Apoi’ in 1976. From the colonial
period, the Arogbo-Ijo and Apoi were entangled in economic and political conflicts. There
were conflicts of ownership and control of resources. For instance, the Apoi’s claim of rights
to fishing ponds located in Arogbo-Ijo resulted in seizure of fishing traps between 1970 and
1980. In 1998, 2004 and 2007, there were boundary conflicts occasioned by Apoi’s claim
over Osari-Ugbo and Igangbo, which are Arogbo-Ijo’s communities. The creation of local
government areas in 1955 and 1976 led to conflicts on the sharing of political offices that
were conceded to the two groups. This necessitated the 1979 Accord which collapsed in
1983 due to mutual distrust. The 1996 Accord sustained the peace until 2007, when a violent
conflict led to the destruction of houses.
The historical and linguistic homogeneity of the Arogbo-Ijo and the Apoi, from 1915 to
2007, proved to be insufficient unifying factors that could prevent political rivalry over
contestation for space and power.
