Warri Delineation Deal Holds, But Ijaw & Urhobo Leaders Draw Red Line

Tinubu Intervention Eases Tensions Over Warri Delineation

LEADERS of the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Delta State have accepted a revised ward delineation arrangement brokered through the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ending weeks of heightened tension over the politically sensitive Warri electoral boundary dispute.

Although the groups described the outcome as a compromise that fell short of their expectations, they said they accepted the presidential proposal in the interest of peace and stability within Warri Federal Constituency.

The agreement followed a high-level meeting convened by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where stakeholders sought a resolution to disagreements arising from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s fresh ward delineation exercise.

Disputed Boundaries and Electoral Representation

The controversy stems from the implementation of a Supreme Court judgment directing INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of wards and polling units across Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West local government areas.

At the centre of the dispute is the question of political representation among the three dominant ethnic nationalities in the area—Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo.

Under the compromise arrangement, the number of electoral wards allocated to Ijaw communities in Warri South-West was reduced from 14 to 11, while Itsekiri wards increased from four to nine.

According to Ijaw and Urhobo leaders, the adjustment represents a departure from INEC’s original field report, which they claim reflected demographic realities in the local government area.

They argued that Ijaw communities account for a substantial share of the population, landmass and settlements within Warri South-West and therefore deserved greater representation under the commission’s initial recommendations.

Acceptance Despite Reservations

In a joint statement issued after consultations, the leaders said their decision to accept the revised arrangement was motivated by respect for the office of the President and a desire to prevent further escalation of tensions.

They maintained that while the outcome was not entirely satisfactory, preserving peace in the oil-producing region was paramount.

The leaders also noted that the compromise emerged after weeks of protests, concerns over the delineation process and growing fears that the dispute could destabilise communities across Warri Federal Constituency.

Concerns Over Political Adjustments

The statement revealed that the original INEC field report reportedly recommended 27 wards for Ijaw communities, 21 for Itsekiri communities and nine for Urhobo communities across the three Warri local government areas.

However, the leaders claimed subsequent political interventions altered the distribution, reducing Ijaw wards to 24 while increasing Itsekiri wards to 27.

Urhobo allocations remained unchanged.

While expressing dissatisfaction with the adjustments, the groups said they were prepared to move forward in order to safeguard peace and facilitate implementation of the delineation exercise.

Debate Over Political Power-Sharing

The meeting also reportedly addressed proposals for a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting political inclusion among the three ethnic nationalities.

Ijaw and Urhobo representatives advocated a rotational arrangement covering key political positions, including proposed federal constituencies, local government chairmanship offices and commissioner appointments.

According to the statement, disagreements emerged when Itsekiri representatives argued that certain matters, particularly appointments and local government administration, fall under the jurisdiction of the Delta State Government and should not form part of the proposed agreement.

Despite the differences, stakeholders agreed to continue discussions on areas where consensus could be reached.

Warning to INEC

The leaders stressed that the presidential compromise should represent the final adjustment to the delineation exercise.

They called on INEC to immediately commence implementation of the report, including voter registration and voter transfer exercises in newly established wards and polling units ahead of the 2027 elections.

They warned that any attempt to alter ward structures, polling units, names or allocations beyond the agreed framework would be strongly resisted.

According to the leaders, prolonged delays or additional modifications could undermine confidence in both INEC and the Federal Government and risk reigniting tensions in the region.

A Test for Electoral Stability

The Warri delineation dispute remains one of the most consequential political issues in Delta State because of its implications for representation, resource allocation and ethnic relations in the Niger Delta.

With a compromise now in place, attention is shifting to INEC’s next steps and whether the electoral commission can successfully implement the arrangement while maintaining the fragile peace achieved through political mediation.