From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Some aggrieved Itsekiri have reportedly shutdown a 28,000 barrels of crude oil per day facility in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State amid protest over ward delineation recommended for the Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC’s proposal, which emerged from a Supreme Court’s ruling, has sparked intense debate among the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups.
The report presented to leaders of Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities, has been brewing controversy in the area with Okere-Urhobo political leaders, on Tuesday, voicing their stance against it.
Protest broke out yesterday at the oil facility, formerly operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) which was recently acquired by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings.
The protesters, comprising men, women and youths, stormed the facility brandishing placards with inscriptions showing their anger over the recommendation by INEC. They contended that the proposal amounted to ethnic cleansing by the INEC and its collaborators.
Investigations revealed that the protest could spread to other critical oil and gas facilities in Itsekiriland and result in further drop in the country’s daily crude oil production.
The aggrieved Itsekiri people are demanding the withdrawal of the proposal made by INEC as regards ward delineation in Warri Federal Constituency, saying proper delineation, which would take cognisance of the historical and legitimate names of communities in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North local government areas should be carried out by INEC.
Last Friday, INEC unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri federal constituency, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment that calls for fresh delineation. The Itsekiri nation, however, rejected the proposed ward delineation.
At a media briefing on Sunday, Secretary of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr. Amorighoye Mene, dropped the hint of a court action against INEC.
“We expected INEC to consider the voting strength of the various ethnic groups in the area, including the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw and other mixed-demographic areas, when delineating the wards and polling units.
“At a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, INEC unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment that calls for fresh delineation.
“We were not allowed to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling, but we have looked at the report given to us and the entire Itsekiri nation completely condemns and rejects the work done by INEC.”
Another group, Itsekiri National Development Initiative (INDI) has also opposed the delineation, claiming it lacked transparency.
INDI, which petitioned the officials handling the exercise, faulted the report from the fieldwork released by INEC in Asaba last week. It claimed that the report was not a genuine reflection of the Warri Federal Constituency and called for its removal.
Also speaking at a press conference in Effurun, yesterday, political leaders from Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area described it as unacceptable, maintaining that they were unfairly represented based on the kingdom’s population density and voting strength.
Addressing journalists, former Delta State Assembly member and Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Chief Matthew Poko Opuoru, said it was unacceptable for INEC to allocate only one ward to Okere-Urhobo given their substantial population and landmass.
“We have no issues with other ethnic groups; our appeal is simply for equitable treatment. We deserve additional wards, at least four, reflective of our sizable voter base.”
He urged INEC to reassess their data, asserting that Okere-Urhobo is the most populous area within Warri South.
“We’re just advocating on behalf of Okere-Urhobo kingdom that we deserve more wards to be created in our domain because we have the voters’ strength. We have the capacity, the population is there and we urge INEC to crosscheck its data and it will find out that we are the most populous area in Warri South.
“That is the premise of this press conference. It is an appeal that INEC should look into our case critically to ensure that the ward reflects the population.”
Chief Jude Onovughe Igberegbuo also expressed discontent with INEC’s approach, saying, “We reject this delineation in its entirety; it does not accurately represent our community. The delineation process was riddled with irregularities.
“We, the people of Okere-Urhobo in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, reject it in all its entirety because it is not properly done.
“Our places were not properly captured. There are too many abnormalities in it, so we want to call on the authorities to handle these issues properly.”
Chief Venture Daniels Evwerhamre criticised the INEC’s proposal, revealing that the people of Okere-Urhobo had suggested six additional wards based on population assessments but was dismayed to receive only one.
“This is unacceptable,” he declared, urging the authorities to revisit their decision and provide fair representation.
A member of the INEC delineation committee, Ambassador Duke Ufuoma Barro, confirmed that proper processes had not been followed, calling the INEC to reconsider the Okere-Urhobo people’s proposal.
“INEC appears to have bypassed essential documentation that demonstrates our need for additional wards. The people have the necessary evidence to support their claims.
“So, we are expecting INEC to go back to what we presented to them as a working document, which they required in their Form A of the INEC’s delineation process. We are appealing to them to go back and look into what we presented to them. We have all they need to do this delineation in favour of Urhobo and for Okere-Urhobo kingdom to have extra wards and units,” he remarked.
As tensions rise in Okere-Urhobo, leaders, however, called for calm, urging the relevant authorities to address the vexing issues.
“We are not against the other ethnic groups, but we will not stand by while our rights are compromised,” they pledged, seeking justice and proper representation from INEC for their constituency.