Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has convened an emergency meeting with leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities following escalating tensions over the implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s ward delineation report in Warri Federal Constituency.
The intervention came after protests disrupted oil and maritime operations in parts of Warri, with Ijaw and Urhobo communities shutting down several oil facilities and insisting that production would remain suspended until the delineation report is implemented.
At the stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba, Oborevwori appealed for restraint and urged all parties to preserve the peace in Warri Federal Constituency.
“We want peace in Warri Federal Constituency. The stakeholders have assured me that they will keep to the peace accord. Under the MORE Agenda, we have promised Deltans enhanced peace and security, and we do not need any crisis in our dear state,” the governor said.
He added that disagreements over political representation should be resolved through dialogue, stressing that all ethnic groups in Warri remain part of one community.
Leaders of the three ethnic nationalities pledged to maintain peace.
Speaking for the Ijaw, Chief Godspower Gbenekama assured residents that there would be no attacks on any community, while Urhobo representative Victor Okumagba and Itsekiri leader Ayirimi Emami said all parties had agreed to sheathe their swords and pursue peaceful engagement.
Hundreds of women, youths and community leaders from Benikrukru, Kenyagbene, Kokodiagbene and other riverine communities occupied facilities operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, including the Abiteye Flow Station.
Operations were also halted at Otunana, Jones Creek, Egwa I and II, Odidi 1 and 2, Batan and Ogbanabou flow stations.
The protesters said the action was aimed at compelling INEC to enforce the ward, polling unit and constituency delineation exercise carried out following a Supreme Court judgment. The report was presented to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20, 2026.
Carrying placards bearing messages such as “INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report,” “Court-Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation,” and “No Implementation, No Production,” the demonstrators warned that the shutdown would continue until concrete action is taken.
Community leaders accused INEC of delaying the implementation of a process they said had already been completed after consultations with stakeholders and consideration of objections from affected groups.
Speaking during the protest, community representative Maria Ebike said residents had exhausted all peaceful options and were demanding the implementation of the report.
“We have waited patiently for the authorities to do the right thing. If our voices continue to be ignored, we have no option but to demand justice through peaceful protests. No implementation of the ward delineation, no oil production,” she said.
Other community leaders, including Fanty Owotorufa, Paul Boyitie and Edith Odafe, maintained that the protest was peaceful and focused solely on securing the implementation of the delineation framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The crisis stems from longstanding disputes over political representation in Warri Federal Constituency, with protesters insisting that the implementation of the delineation report is essential to ensuring fair participation in future elections.
