People from the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnics extraction in Warri Federal Constancy of Delta State took to the street to protest what they alleged external interference including the presidency on the recent delineation of the constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Speaking during the protest, today, 16th May, 2025, the protesters drawn from the two ethnic nationalities said that certain forces were working against this constitutional mandate, which according to them, has raised tensions across the region.

The protest was part of the activities marking the Adaka Boro Remembrance Day, which was held at Chief Tunde Playground in Warri, where they made a joint declaration.

They, therefore, appealed to the external forces trying to interfere in the outcome of the recent delineation to off their hands and allowed INEC to complete the delineation exercise in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment.

READ ALSO: Delineation: Warri Ijaw Commends INEC, Says Itsekiri Protesting Out Of Ignorance

They said for over a decade, they have consistently called on INEC to uphold truth and justice by correcting what they have long described as a lopsided and unjust delineation that disproportionately favored the Itsekiri ethnic group.

According to them, consequently, their quest culminated in a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court on December 2, 2022, which ordered a fresh delineation exercise in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West LGAs—without which no further elections should be conducted in the area.

Below is the full text of their statement:

JOINT REACTION OF THE IJAWS AND URHOBOS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS RELATING TO THE SUPREME COURT ORDERED FRESH DELINEATION OF ELECTORAL WARDS AND POLLING UNITS AND THE DISTORTED ACTIONS OF THE ITSEKIRI NATION
It is no longer news that the Supreme Court was clear in its unanimous judgment of 2nd December 2022 that INEC should delineate afresh all the electoral Wards and polling units in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas that made up the Warri Federal constituency of Delta State without which there should be no subsequent election in the area. The order is a condition absolute and a prerequisite for future elections. The implication of this is that, in the eyes of the law and in actual fact, no electoral wards or polling units exist in the Warri Federal Constituency currently. Failure of INEC to complete the process of the fresh delineation portends grave danger and risks of no election in the federal constituency in 2027 and beyond. This will have cascading effects on the 2027 elections in Delta South Senatorial District and by implication Delta state in general.
The recent actions of the Itsekiri Nation in seeking to influence the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by casting insinuations and putting undue pressure on his wife, Her Excellency, Senator (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu is not only highly inappropriate but also a gross misrepresentation of the unity and integrity of our national politics. The Itsekiri’s attempts to leverage the maternal lineage of the First Lady to coerce the President into making certain political decisions is a blatant and unjustified move. It should be seen for what it is, an opportunistic move and crass attempt at ethnic baiting. We believe the President and the First Lady with solid democratic credentials will not fall for this ill-conceived and mischievous lure to reduce them.
We are confident that the President will not lean to their mischief as that would be paramount to a total disregard for the Constitution. Mr. President should understand that everyone matters. This same scenario played out when the first ill-fated delineation exercise was conducted with ruthless regards for the true picture of what was on ground, the then government was very quick to adopt it but now that the error is being corrected, the government is dragging its feet because of family ties. This will be bringing yourself down Mr President. We are a very law abiding and peaceful people and we have patiently followed the rule of law up to this time. When the Ijaws approached the court in the suit leading to the Supreme Court judgment in 2011, an Ijaw man, Goodluck Jonathan was the President, but the Ijaws did not put undue pressure on him to subvert national institutions for ethnic gain.
Therefore, be rest assured that we will not fold our hands and be bullied as we watch a replay of what happened before. That an unfair delineation was being used all this while does not mean we should allow it to continue. Nobody sits and watch while their house is on fire.
It is important to recognize that H.E. Senator (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the President, holds the esteemed position of the Mother of the Nation and should be respected as such. She should not be seen to be bias in the issue of fresh delineation in Warri because of her maternal ties as that will be abuse of office. And it would be tantamount to being seen as mother of some persons instead of mother of Nigeria.
Her role transcends ethnic and regional politics, embodying the collective aspirations and dignity of all Nigerians. Any attempt to exploit her maternal origins for political manipulation undermines the sanctity of her office and the unity of the Nigerian people. It is a reckless and dangerous move incubated in the bowels of tribal chauvinism. It should be seen as a crude attempt to burden the amiable first lady and mother of the Nation.
We are also watching with keen interest how the Itsekiris are clandestinely working with Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, the wife of General T.Y. Danjuma to coerce the NSA and Mr. President, to help them achieve their selfish agenda of nullifying the painstaking work of INEC and frustrate the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. This ill-conceived effort to manipulate the implementation of a Supreme Court order through personal and familial connections must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is anti-democratic and a recipe for political unrest and conflict, which may plunge the entire Niger Delta into anarchy.
On the issue of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the recent fieldwork in the Warri Federal Constituency, we want to unequivocally state that, the INEC’s fieldwork is an accurate reflection of the demographic and electoral realities in the federal constituency between the different ethnic groups. Though, the Itsekiris got more than what they deserve.
It is in the interest of democracy, national stability, and growth that, we must adhere to the principles of democratic norms, highlighted by certain key determinants that cannot be sacrificed – chiefly amongst others – An inclusive and equitable society, where everyone is free and rights respected. Responsiveness to the marginalization of others with a view to make them heard. Implementation of citizens’ rights to vote and participate in democratic governance and the rule of law.
In fact, contrary to claims made by certain elements, the population of the Itsekiri within the Warri Federal Constituency is not more than 10,000 people, as any thoroughly implemented head count will show. INEC’s decision to allocate them 21 wards across the three Warri local governments is an over-generous and magnanimous acknowledgement of their minority presence. This allocation should be seen as a demonstration of the commission’s commitment to inclusiveness, not a compromise of the INEC delineation process.
It is important to state that the federal government should not be intimidated by the threats of the Itsekiri in shutting down a 28,000-barrel-per-day facility in Ogidigben. This should not be a reason for their illegal demands to be given undue attention. The Federal Government must recognize that, the Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency, host far more extensive oil facilities. We want to state in clear terms that, we have the capacity to shut down 30 oil facilities within a day and simultaneously, but are only threading the path of peace. We should not be pushed to the wall.
Our strength is not to be underestimated, and it is our resolve to engage reasonably within the confines of the laws. However, we will not stand idly by while attempts are made to manipulate or undermine our economic and political rights. The Ijaw and Urhobo people will not be pushed into a corner or cowed by intimidation.
We are using this medium to draw the attention of the National Security Adviser that our peaceful resolve should not be taken as weakness. The recent invite by the NSA office for a round table discussion with the Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos of Warri must be done with caution, as Chief Ayiri Emami, a self-acclaimed Ologbotsere of Warri had earlier boasted openly in a press conference that he has the ears of the NSA and true to his talk our people have been invited. We do not want to preempt any possible outcome of this meeting, but we strongly warned that those who will be attending the said meeting must not compromise on anything that will subvert the genuine decision of INEC. In any case, what does the office of NSA have to do with INEC? We hope this is not a ploy to aid a particular nationality over others. That would not be in the interest of Nigeria and our democratic journey.
Recently, an Itsekiri gun runner, Mr. Micah Polo, a former British Soldier, who acted on the instructions of the Itsekiri Monarch, was arrested alongside other of his cohorts by DSS with well over 57 AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns. However, information at our disposal is that the Itsekiri Monarch who in connivance with top security brass had earlier freed the same gun runner who was caught training Itsekiri militias is still making frantic efforts to sweep the matter under the carpet. It is an open secret that, Chief Brown Mene acted on the instructions of the Olu to take the said Micah Polo on bail from the security agents during his first arrest. Today, the same Traditional ruler, who is supposed to be behind bars, is working freely and riding on scooters as if nothing happened. Is he above the law? We are watching to know, if the DSS and other Security agencies will fail to take appropriate actions on this matter involving the Olu and Micah Polo and others.
Finally, we strongly urge all concerned parties, especially the office of the NSA, to respect the independence and impartiality of INEC and to refrain from any further attempts to manipulate or distort the delineation process ordered by the Supreme Court.
The Nigerian people deserve a transparent and democratic delineation system that reflects the true will of the electorate, free from coercion, intimidation, or undue influence. INEC as a constitutionally independent and unbiased umpire, let her decision on this matter be final and Mr President must not involve himself with this. It is a known practice that, whoever that is not satisfied with the decision of INEC should go to court, just as the Ijaws did and pursued their case for more than ten years.
Mr. President, a stitch in time, as they say, saves nine! Let the right actions be taken and not the other way round in the interest of peace.