Ward Delineation: Call INEC To Order, Itsekiri Tell President Tinubu

Rita Enemuru, Reporting 

THE Itsekiri ethnic nationality has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of selectively implementing directives issued by President Bola Tinubu following peace engagements over the controversial delineation of wards and constituencies in the Warri Federal Constituency, and has demanded full compliance with all resolutions reached during the intervention.

The position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Chief Ayiri Emami, Prince Yemi Emiko, Sir Amorighoye Mene and Comrade Alex Eyengho on behalf of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality during a press conference held in Warri on Monday.

Read by Comrade Eyengho, the leaders expressed concerns over what they described as INEC’s failure to fully implement understandings reached during a presidential meeting convened to address tensions arising from the Supreme Court-ordered delineation exercise affecting Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North local government areas.

He said representatives of the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities, alongside Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other stakeholders, met with President Tinubu in Abuja on June 11, 2026, to seek a peaceful, equitable and lasting resolution of disputes generated by the delineation exercise.

The Itsekiri leaders stated that one of the major issues discussed during the meeting was the naming of three wards in Warri South Local Government Area — Buluama, Ewein and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban.

They maintained that both Itsekiri and Urhobo representatives had informed the President that the Ijaw ethnic nationality had no indigenous communities within Warri South Local Government Area, although they acknowledged the existence of Ijaw communities in Warri North and Warri South-West.

The leaders, however, alleged that despite the outcome of the peace engagements, INEC had retained the disputed ward names on its official platform.

“We are deeply concerned that, contrary to the spirit and outcome of the intervention of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequent engagements involving the affected ethnic nationalities and security agencies, INEC appears to have implemented aspects of the understandings reached during the peace process while disregarding others,” the statement said.

The leaders argued that the commission’s action had heightened anxiety among stakeholders and rekindled tensions in the affected areas.

“Recent developments indicate that INEC has proceeded to host and retain the disputed ward names on its national website, contrary to the intendment of the Presidential intervention.

“This action has generated widespread concern among stakeholders and has further heightened tensions within the affected communities,” they added.

The Itsekiri nation also alleged that the implementation of directives relating to ward allocations in Warri South-West and Warri North local government areas had been uneven.

According to them, while certain provisions considered favourable to one ethnic nationality had been accommodated, others aimed at promoting fairness, balance and inclusiveness across the three local government areas had allegedly been ignored.

The leaders warned that such selective implementation could erode public confidence in the process and jeopardise efforts aimed at sustaining peace within the Warri Federal Constituency.

“Stakeholders note that the Presidential intervention sought to promote peaceful coexistence and equitable representation among all ethnic nationalities in the Warri Federal Constituency.

“Consequently, any selective implementation of those directives undermines confidence in the process and threatens the fragile peace that has been painstakingly maintained,” the statement read.

Calling for urgent action, the Itsekiri leaders urged INEC to fully implement all resolutions arising from the presidential intervention and peace engagements involving stakeholders from the affected communities.

They also appealed to security agencies and relevant government authorities to ensure that the agreements reached were respected in the interest of justice, fairness and national unity.

The address emphasised the strategic significance of the Warri Federal Constituency to Nigeria’s economy and warned that any action capable of inflaming ethnic tensions within the area could have far-reaching implications for peace and security in the Niger Delta.

“The Warri Federal Constituency occupies a strategic position within the Niger Delta and remains a critical component of Nigeria’s economic and energy infrastructure.

“Any action capable of aggravating ethnic tensions within the area carries significant implications for peace, security and national stability,” the leaders stated.

The Itsekiri nation reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional processes, the rule of law, peaceful coexistence and constructive dialogue among all ethnic groups within the constituency.

Earlier in the event, members of the Ologbotsere family observed a minute’s silence in honour of the oldest member of the family, Pa Higson Jofotan Oporokun who recently passed at the age of 106.

The ceremony was followed by traditional prayers offered by Chief Emami on behalf of the Ologbotsere family and the Itsekiri nation.

Speaking afterwards, Chief Emami reiterated his commitment to peaceful coexistence among the three major ethnic nationalities in the Warri Federal Constituency.

“I am from all three tribes – Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw and I am very committed to the peace and development of Warri. I will not take what belongs to one and give it to another,” he said.

While stressing that the Itsekiri people had never opposed compliance with the Supreme Court judgment, Emami argued that the judgment did not authorise the transfer of Itsekiri lands to another ethnic group.

“The Itsekiri nation never kicked against obeying the Supreme Court judgment, but the Supreme Court cannot allocate Itsekiri lands to them, especially as it pertains to Warri South,” he said.

The Itsekiri leader alleged that some of the areas being claimed by the Ogbe-Ijoh people were lands originally owned by Itsekiris and later acquired by the Nigerian Ports Authority.

According to him, compensation had been paid to occupants of the affected areas to vacate the lands, adding that while Itsekiri and Urhobo residents complied, some Ijaw occupants refused to leave.

“Money was paid to the people occupying those places to leave. The Urhobo and the Itsekiri left, but the Ijaw people refused to leave. Those places are owned by the Navy and the Nigerian Ports Authority,” he stated.

Emami further criticised INEC’s role in the delineation process, insisting that the commission had no authority to create or rename communities.

“INEC are not town planners to come and create places. The Itsekiris of Warri South will not accept it. We will not sleep until that name is changed. The Itsekiri and Urhobo will come together to ensure that those names are changed,” he declared.

He maintained that there was no indigenous Ijaw community in Warri South Local Government Area and warned against what he described as attempts to alter the historical identity of Warri through administrative processes.

“Nobody will take that. Don’t come and rename Warri. INEC is not a town planner that will come and rename Warri. We will not accept it,” he said.

Emami also alleged that previous government efforts to address disputes over occupied lands had not been fully enforced.

“The Ministry of Conflict Resolution was created because of the Warri crisis and some of these issues were dealt with. Eighty per cent of those places occupied by Ijaws from Bayelsa and different places belong to the Navy.

“Money was paid through the Navy and NPA for those occupants to leave. The Itsekiris and Urhobos left, but the Ijaws refused to leave,” he alleged.

He further accused some individuals of attempting to mislead President Tinubu on the matter but commended the President’s approach to resolving the dispute.

“There have been a lot of blackmail against the President, a man of fairness who believes that everybody must live together. The President charged the Itsekiris and Ijaws to live together in peace,” Emami said.