Tensions Mount Delta as Ijaw, Urhobo Indigenous People Set to Resist Delayed INEC Delineation Report

…may boycott or totally resist conduct of 2027 Polls in Warri federal constituency

Tension is mounting in some quarters of Delta State as indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo communities of Warri Federal Constituency, on Monday vowed to boycott the 2027 general election or totally resist any move by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections in the area.

The people at a world press conference threatened to resist with every blood in their veins the conduct of election in the federal constituency in 2027 if INEC continues to delay the implementation of the Supreme Court order on delineation of electoral wards.

The people comprises of leaders, stakeholders, women and youths alleged that the delay in releasing the field report is apparently because INEC have been compromised by some conservative forces bent on sustaining minority rule over the majority in Warri territory.

Addressing an enlarged joint world press conference held at KFT event centre in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, on Monday, the leaders drawn from Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGA, accused INEC of undermining democratic principles and delaying critical electoral processes.

Reading the text of the press conference, Chief Victor Okumagba, a leader of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, vowed that they will use every means possible to resist INEC if it fails to release the report of the already conducted delineation before the generalelections.

“We shall use all our possible means necessary to ensure that there is no election in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State in 2027”, he maintained.

The elders and stakeholders including women and youths, recalled their previous appeal made on August 25th, 2025, regarding INEC’s refusal to release and implement the fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri, a process mandated by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in December 2022.

Despite INEC’s compliance with the court’s directive, the leaders lamented that the commission has since stalled the publication of the delineation report, risking the legitimacy of future elections.

“The Supreme Court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of all electoral wards in Warri. We are exhausted by broken promises and unfulfilled judicial orders,” High Chief Dr. Godspower T. D. A. Gbenekama, the Fiyewei of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom said.

Continuing, he said, “If INEC refuses to act, we will take our destiny into our own hands. We are prepared to boycott the 2027 elections in protest, to demand justice and fair representation.

“The report is ready, but INEC has chosen cowardice over its legal obligation. This blatant delay threatens our democratic rights and could disenfranchise our people in the 2027 general election.”

Gbenekama disclosed that after their last press conference on the same matter, they were invited by the DSS and NSA office, insisting that this time around, “We cannot keep quiet in the face of oppression. We cannot pretend any longer. It is not a threat. It will be different for us to participate in the process that INEC is trying to conduct.”

Chief Gbenekama noted that the Ijaws and Urhobos have not only been starved politically, they have also been punished economically.

He said that if the people cannot be allowed to exercise their rights then the cannot continue to guarantee the Federal Government use their resources to feed the country.

“We are tired of talking to our youths and women. The storm is building. We are ready to bear whatever brunt the President brings.”

A representative of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, the Alaowei of Warri, Chief Denbo Denbofa Oweikpodor, said that INEC was directed by the Supreme Court to implement the report on the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency which he said is the constitutional rights of the people.

“The beneficiaries of the judgment wants to enjoy their judgment.”

He cautioned INEC not to take them back to dark ages of crisis in Warri Federal Constituencies” pointing that the Federal Government is trying to “make government of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori unbearable with its action.”

He added, “It is not a threat but a reality” stressing that it is the turn of the Ijaws and Urhobo people of Warri just like the President claimed during his electioneering campaign in 2023 that it is “Emilokan”(Meaning it’s my turn).

Speaking also, a representative of Isaba community, Chief Emmanuel Secondi said INEC is playing games with the delineation of polling units and wards in Warri Federal Constituency.

He said, “INEC has failed. INEC is evil, unconstitutional, INEC is bias to the people of Warri Federal Constituency. No delineation, No election, No politics.”

The leaders accused INEC of succumbing to external pressures and tribal biases, which they say have historically impeded fair representation for the indigenous peoples of Warri.

They pointed out that past judicial commissions and government reports—dating back to the 1990s—have also been ignored, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization and unresolved conflicts.

Speaking on behalf of women folks, a woman leader from Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Chief (Mrs ) Onome Okumagba, and woman leader from Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Vero Tangbowei, said INEC seem to be governed by cowards, vowing that as women they will use every means possible to ensure the Supreme Court judgment go on before any election.

“INEC has responsibility else, No election in the Warri Federal Constituency. We will do what women in situation like this and ensure no election will go on.”

They urged INEC to do the needful by implementing the Supreme Court judgment with a warning not to push the Ijaw and Urhobo people to the wall from now till the end of the month of May.

A cleric from Diebiri Community, Rev. Akoh Samuel who also lend his voice said there will be no election in 2027 if INEC fails to implement the report.

“Justice delayed is justice denied, Rev. Ako said, adding, “We will not stand by and watch our democratic rights be trampled upon. The time for action is now.”

A representative from Egbema Kingdom in Warri North, Chief David Keje who pointed out the map released by INEC to the audience called on the ECOWAS, US and other world leaders to take note of the happenings in Warri Federal Constituency.

“We will no longer take any pleas from INEC. All what we need are our polling units and wards. Anything outside that will be visited by the wrath of the Ijaws and Urhobos. We’ll withhold the flow of oil because you cannot thwart our efforts.”

To the police and other security agencies, he said, “If they need force, we use the force. Tooth for tooth,iron for iron.”

Some youth leaders also bear their minds on the matter with warning that INEC implement the report in the interest of peace,fairness and justice as time waits for no one.

The stakeholders emphasized that their fight is not merely about electoral boundaries but about safeguarding their fundamental democratic rights.

They called on INEC to honour the Supreme Court’s ruling without delay and warned that continued inaction would lead to increased unrest and a breakdown of electoral integrity in the region.