Former Niger Delta militant leader and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, has appealed for calm amid growing tensions in Delta State following protests over the controversial ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency.
Tompolo's Appeal for Peace
Mr. Ekpemupolo made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday, after women and youths from several communities occupied oil and gas facilities in the Escravos and Warri River areas to protest the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) handling of the delineation exercise. He noted that since Monday, 8 June 2026, peaceful mass action by women and youths occupying oil and gas installations had been witnessed.
The Ijaw leader stated that many Nigerians had called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute and urged all parties to avoid actions that could worsen the situation. He emphasized that the current political situation arising from INEC's failure to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence.
Call for Restraint
Mr. Ekpemupolo described the Ijaw people as historically peaceful and appealed to residents to maintain restraint regardless of prevailing grievances. He said, "I am calling for calm no matter the situation." He also called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to chart a path toward resolving the impasse, stating, "We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse."
The former militant commander urged INEC to take steps capable of restoring peace in Warri and neighbouring communities. He stressed that INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore peace in Warri and environs. Additionally, he appealed to members of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities to remain calm and allow the electoral commission to address outstanding issues.
Escalating Tensions
Mr. Ekpemupolo's intervention follows rising tensions over INEC's ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, a politically sensitive area comprising Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas. The controversy has triggered a series of protests by groups claiming that the electoral commission has either failed to complete the exercise or has acted in a manner perceived as unfavourable to their interests.
On Monday, protesters occupied several oil and gas facilities in the Warri area, disrupting logistics operations and raising concerns about the impact on crude oil production. Some community groups claimed that up to 13 oil flow stations were affected by the protests, although government agencies have yet to provide an official assessment of the disruption. This development has heightened concerns about security and oil production in the Niger Delta, a region that accounts for the bulk of Nigeria's crude oil output.
Backstory of the Delineation Dispute
The delineation dispute stems from a Supreme Court judgement directing INEC to undertake a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency. The exercise has since generated disagreements among Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo stakeholders, with rival groups accusing one another of attempting to gain political advantage through the process.
Recently, an Ijaw and Urhobo group known as the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo People of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State protested against what they described as delays and alleged interference in the implementation of the delineation exercise. The group warned that failing to address their concerns could further inflame tensions in the oil-rich region.
