Leaders of the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Delta State’s Warri Federal Constituency have called on protesters occupying oil and gas facilities and blocking waterways in the area to withdraw immediately, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu. The appeal was made in a statement issued on Thursday, after a series of high-level meetings involving the federal government, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and former Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo.
Background of the Protests
The protests, which began on Monday, were sparked by grievances over the implementation of a fresh ward and polling unit delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment. The demonstrations spread across several communities in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West local government areas, leading to the occupation of some oil and gas facilities and the blockade of parts of the Escravos River.
Key Leaders and Meetings
Prominent Ijaw and Urhobo leaders, including Godspower Gbenekama, Victor Okumagba, Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, and Westham Adehor, signed the statement. According to the leaders, the growing tensions prompted Governor Oborevwori to convene an emergency meeting with Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo representatives in Asaba on 8 June. The continued protests subsequently attracted the intervention of Tompolo, who met leaders of the three ethnic groups in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, on 9 June and called for restraint to protect oil and gas infrastructure.
Presidential Intervention
The leaders also stated that President Tinubu convened a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday with representatives of the three ethnic nationalities. “At the meeting, Mr President called for compromise, understanding and the need for the Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos to live together as Nigerians,” the statement said. The president appealed for unity among the groups and directed stakeholders to work out a power-sharing arrangement to ensure an equitable distribution of political positions across the three local government areas that make up the constituency. He also appealed to community leaders to prevail on protesters to end the demonstrations.
Call for Demobilization
“In the light of the foregoing, we, the leaders of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities of Warri Federal Constituency, after consultation with other stakeholders, hereby call on protesting women, youths and other stakeholders in Ijaw and Urhobo communities to demobilise and vacate all oil and gas facilities occupied in different parts of the constituency and the Escravos River,” the statement said. The leaders described the decision as a mark of respect for the president and an opportunity for stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues arising from the implementation of the delineation exercise.
Appreciation and Next Steps
They thanked Mr Tinubu, Mr Oborevwori, and Mr Ekpemupolo for their timely interventions, which helped de-escalate tensions in the oil-rich area. The appeal indicates that stakeholders may be moving towards a negotiated settlement after days of protests that drew national attention and raised concerns about the security of strategic oil and gas infrastructure.
