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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
A major disruption has hit Nigeria’s oil sector as hundreds of indigenous women, youth, and leaders from the Ijaw on Monday launched a massive, coordinated protest in Delta State, forcing the shutdown of several critical oil and gas installations across the Warri Federal Constituency.
The protesters vowed that production will not resume until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) enforces its own constituency delineation report.
The peaceful occupation targeted a network of vital oil infrastructure belonging to Chevron Nigeria including the Kenyagbene (Abiteye), Otunana, Jones Creek, Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, and Egwa 1 and 2 flow stations.
The latest escalation introduces a high-stakes economic dimension to the long-running dispute over the contentious Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation report issued by INEC in May.
The protesters mainly women bored various placards with inscriptions demanding immediate compliance, including, “INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report,” “Court Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation,” and “No Implementation, No Production.”
They accused the electoral umpire of stalling on the deployment of the delineation report that INEC itself had unveiled to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20, 2026.
For the host communities, the standoff is a fight for fundamental political visibility and fair democratic representation.
They argued it is deeply unjust that areas providing the bulk of the federation’s revenue continue to be politically sidelined.
Speaking from the Kenyagbene (Abiteye) Flow Station, the community women leaders, Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Marian Ebike A. Ogoba highlighted decades of systemic marginalization despite the region’s immense economic contributions.
“We are here because of the boundary delineation that INEC conducted following a Supreme Court directive,” Ogoba explained.
“As the hosts of the oil and gas wealth driving Nigeria, we refuse to accept continued marginalization. We are not looking for a fight; we are simply claiming our legal rights. These facilities will remain shut down until INEC complies with the apex court’s orders.”
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Also speaking, immediate past secretary of Benekukru community, Madam Fanty Goodness Owotorufa emphasized that while the communities are committed to non-violence, their patience has run out.
“The Supreme Court has already ruled on how these wards should be structured. The only thing left is for INEC to implement its own approved and published report. We are peaceful people, but we demand justice,” Owotorufa stated.
The roots of the protest trace back to a 2022 Supreme Court judgment mandating a comprehensive review of the electoral boundaries within the Warri Federal Constituency. Following the ruling, INEC executed the exercise, collected and resolved grievances from various factions, and compiled a final framework.
Dr. Paul Boyitie, an opinion leader and former secretary of the Benikrukru Community, questioned the electoral body’s hesitation to formalize the changes ahead of the upcoming political cycle.
“The final report clearly maps out the wards for the Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri populations. All objections were heard, and the blueprint was finalized. Why the delay?”
Boyitie asked. “We want to enter the 2027 general elections under this newly approved structure. We have the leverage to freeze operations on our lands, and we will stay here until INEC acts.”
The shutdown was equally absolute at the Otunana Flow Station, where community representatives reiterated that normal operations are suspended indefinitely.
Representing the Krukrudagbene Community, Edith Odafe confirmed that the shutdown was a direct response to the stalling of the wards and state constituencies presented by INEC earlier in May.
“The process was smooth, and the results were handed to us. Now, we want execution. The station is closed, and it stays closed,” Odafe warned.
Adding to this, community delegate Mrs. Gladys Kele maintained that the protest is strictly about securing what belongs to the people.
“We don’t want conflict, but no one should strip us of our allocated wards. We will camp here until our rights are secured,” Kele said.
