Ijaw, Urhobo Groups Warn Against Political Interference in Warri Delineation

• The Ijaw and Urhobo communities of Warri Federal Constituency have accused the Itsekiris of trying to alter a Supreme Court-ordered electoral delineation.

• They urged First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to remain neutral despite her ethnic ties.

Tensions have escalated in Warri Federal Constituency as the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups accused the Itsekiris of attempting to manipulate the ongoing electoral delineation ordered by the Supreme Court.

In a firm appeal, they called on Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu—who has maternal Itsekiri roots—to steer clear of influencing the process and allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out its constitutional mandate.

The protesters, who gathered during the Adaka Boro Remembrance Day event at Chief Tunde Playground in Warri, reiterated that the Supreme Court judgment of December 2, 2022, clearly mandated a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West before any future elections. “The order is a condition absolute and a prerequisite for future elections,” their joint statement read, stressing that any deviation could jeopardize the 2027 elections in Delta State and beyond.

ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!

READ ALSO: Ijaw Leaders Rally Behind Delta PDP Chief Ogidi Amidst Mass Defection to APC

They expressed concern over alleged moves by some Itsekiri leaders to pressure President Bola Tinubu through his wife, the First Lady, and Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, branding the efforts as “a crass attempt at ethnic baiting.”

The group said, “It is a blatant and unjustified move… and should be seen for what it is.” They also claimed the population of Itsekiris within the constituency is fewer than 10,000, questioning their allocation of 21 wards, which they described as “over-generous.”

The groups further warned against security threats, alleging that a known Itsekiri arms dealer had been arrested, and called on INEC to complete its delineation task independently, warning: “We will not stand idly by while attempts are made to manipulate or undermine our economic and political rights.”