Warri: Shell operations disrupted as Itsekiri protests INEC ward delineation

From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

Protests over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent ward and polling unit delineation have rocked Warri, Delta State. The unrest began on Tuesday in Ogidigben and led to the shutdown of a Shell Petroleum Development Company flow station near Ugborodo.

Itsekiri protesters, including community leaders and youths from across Warri Kingdom, took action. They see the delineation as a plan to politically sideline their people. Placards read, “Agbassa people are tenants to Itsekiri people, so they can’t have wards,” “INEC, return our electoral ward,” and “The Itsekiri are the majority in the three Warris.”

Hundreds camped outside the Shell facility with canopies and loudspeakers. They cooked meals from slaughtered cows, showing they plan to stay despite soldiers nearby. Mr Raymond Pira, a former ward councillor and deputy leader of Warri South-West legislative arm, spoke to journalists at the gate.

He blamed INEC for ignoring a court order against the delineation. “We are protesting INEC’s unlawful behaviour and contempt of court. This injustice is not just against Ugborodo, but against the entire Itsekiri and Warri Kingdom,” Pira said. He claimed INEC pushed ahead despite swearing not to proceed.

Pira also raised past issues. He said the National Boundary Commission wrongly left out Itsekiri communities from coastal zones, cutting them off from offshore benefits. “We were unlawfully excluded while communities farther inland like Oporoza and Ogbudugbudu were included. This was done under the last administration with the full knowledge of the then Deputy Governor, an Ijaw man,” he stated.

He criticised the new ward setup. “In Warri North, where Itsekiris and Ijaws cohabit, we had six wards while the Ijaws had four. Today, Ijaw wards have increased to 10, while ours only rose to eight,” Pira explained. In Warri South, he said, Itsekiri wards stayed at eight, but Urhobos got nine, and Ijaws gained three in Itsekiri areas like Miller and Main Market.

“Even our monarch’s residence is now said to fall under an Ijaw ward. It’s an outrageous manipulation,” he added. Mr Victor Laju Udonju, National Vice Chairman of Ugborodo Community, warned of political fallout. “With the new arrangement, Itsekiris across the three Warri councils cannot produce a local government chairman, a House of Assembly member, or even a House of Representatives member,” he said.

Udonju shared details of a meeting with Ugborodo, Shell, and army representatives. “We have made it clear: we are not leaving here until the federal government intervenes. We are peace-loving people, but we will not accept this injustice,” he asserted. The protesters demand a lawful process.

They called for the delineation to stop and for talks with the Federal Government to avoid a bigger crisis. Shell’s operations are currently halted, and security is tight. As of Wednesday evening, INEC and the Delta State Government have not responded.