Warri Indigenous Women Stage Major Protest at INEC Headquarters in Abuja
Abuja witnessed significant political unrest as members of the Warri Indigenous Women Forum staged a major demonstration at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, January 21. The protest centered on deep concerns regarding a re-delineation exercise that the women claim threatens the political future of the Itsekiri people in Delta State.
Allegations of Systematic Marginalization and Political Threats
The protesters presented a formal petition to INEC officials, strongly condemning the delineation activities allegedly conducted under former INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu. Their document outlined serious accusations of coordinated efforts since 1999 by neighboring groups to systematically marginalize and politically exterminate the Itsekiri people of Warri kingdom.
According to the women's statement: "Since 1999, there have been deliberate and coordinated efforts by our neighbours to exterminate the Itsekiri people of Warri Kingdom, through a well-planned criminal campaign of violence, displacement, and systematic marginalisation."
Legal Concerns and Court Rulings Cited
The protesters emphasized that INEC's actions potentially violate a December 2025 judgment from the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division, which affirmed Itsekiri ownership of the Ogbe-Ijoh community. They argued that the electoral body has no legal authority to proceed with delineation activities that contradict this established court ruling.
Furthermore, the women expressed alarm about reports that coordinate points were allegedly established in:
- Edo State
- Ondo State
- Parts of Delta State outside Warri Federal Constituency
They claim these points were created to establish polling units for non-indigenes and non-residents, further threatening Itsekiri political representation.
Youth Protest Precedes Women's Demonstration
This women-led protest followed similar action by Itsekiri youth groups just one day earlier. On Tuesday, January 20, Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths (UIY) president Joseph Okotie led young protesters to the same INEC headquarters, voicing identical concerns about the alleged illegal ward delineation proposal in Warri Federal Constituency.
Youth representatives Bright Omaghomi Okoroatsegor and Tsaye Edeyibo Mene joined Okotie in calling for:
- Immediate suspension of the delineation exercise
- Investigation by the Nigeria Police Force into those involved
- Respect for established land ownership rulings in Warri
Calls for National and International Intervention
The protesters made urgent appeals to multiple authorities, including:
- President Bola Tinubu's federal government
- The United Nations
- The international community
They described the situation as having grave political and humanitarian implications that could destabilize peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. The women specifically warned that any further steps by INEC while court cases remain pending could constitute contempt of court and potentially trigger regional unrest.
Broader Context of Itsekiri Activism
This protest represents the latest in a series of actions by Itsekiri groups concerned about their political representation and territorial rights. Earlier reports indicated that protesting Itsekiri youths had shut down an oil production facility in Ogidigben, Warri, which reportedly produces approximately 28,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
The convergence of women's and youth protests at INEC headquarters highlights the growing intensity of concerns within the Itsekiri community regarding electoral boundaries and political representation as Nigeria approaches future elections.
