THE Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) has dismissed what it described as misleading claims by some ethnic groups over the outcome of President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the contentious delineation of units, wards and constituencies in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The group insisted that no agreement had been reached on several contentious issues and that President Tinubu did not make any pronouncement altering the judicially recognised status of any local government area in the constituency.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Warri, the Secretary of ILOT, Sir Amorighoye Sunny Mene, accused certain Ijaw and Urhobo groups of misrepresenting the spirit and outcome of meetings convened by the President to address concerns arising from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) delineation proposals.
Mene, who participated as one of the Itsekiri delegates at the June 11 meeting convened by President Tinubu and the follow-up meeting held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) on June 12, said the Itsekiri Nation remained committed to dialogue, the rule of law and peaceful engagement with all stakeholders.
He said: “With respect to Warri South Local Government Area, issues concerning the nomenclature of certain wards were discussed. Similarly, discussions relating to Warri South-West Local Government Area focused on representation, inclusiveness and mechanisms for maintaining peace among the constituent ethnic nationalities.
“The President subsequently directed that representatives of the affected ethnic groups engage further, under the coordination of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to explore areas of consensus and develop proposals capable of promoting long-term stability within the Warri Federal Constituency.”
According to him, the President’s intervention was aimed at encouraging dialogue and consensus rather than imposing solutions on the parties involved.
Mene disclosed that following the President’s directive, representatives of the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities met on June 12, 2026, at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Pursuant to this directive, representatives of the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities met on June 12, 2026, at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“The meeting was attended by the National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi,” he said.
He added that discussions at the meeting centred on proposals relating to representation and power-sharing arrangements within the proposed Warri Federal Constituency II.
“During the engagement, various proposals relating to representation and power-sharing arrangements within the proposed Warri Federal Constituency II were discussed.
“These discussions formed part of ongoing consultations aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence and ensuring that all stakeholders have confidence in the process.
“Deliberations on these matters remain subject to further consultations, legal requirements and constitutional processes where applicable.”
The ILOT secretary cautioned against misinformation and inflammatory narratives capable of worsening tensions in the oil-rich Warri axis, stressing that consultations were still ongoing.
“The Itsekiri Nation further notes that President Tinubu consistently urged all parties to pursue dialogue and consensus and cautioned against actions capable of undermining peace or frustrating efforts towards an amicable resolution.
“The President stressed the importance of cooperation among stakeholders and the need to avoid inflammatory narratives capable of heightening tensions in the area,” Mene stated.
He called on all parties to support ongoing efforts towards achieving lasting peace, unity and development in the Warri Federal Constituency, while allowing the consultation process initiated by the President to run its course.
