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Warri Ijaw Leaders Defend INEC Ward Delineation, Commend INEC for a Thorough Job.
Says Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri deserved more than three wards in Warri-South Local Government Area.
By Favour Bibaikefie
Leaders of the Ogbe-Ijoh (Ijaw) community have addressed recent protests by Itsekiri groups over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri South Local Government Area. In a press briefing held on April 11, 2025, Ogbe-Ijoh representatives reaffirmed their historical and legal presence in Warri South, citing court rulings and decades-old electoral structures. They condemned claims excluding them from the area and urged INEC to ignore such objections. Calling for at least five homogenous wards, they emphasized the need for fair representation and the creation of a dedicated Ijaw state constituency.
Read full Press Statement:
“PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OGBE-IJOH PEOPLE ON THE PROPOSED FRESH DELINEATION OF ELECTORAL WARDS/POLLING UNITS IN WARRI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE BY THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT ON FRESH DELINEATION AND MATTERS THERETO
“Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the 4th of April, 2025 released the report of its Fieldwork on the proposed delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State, the Ogbe-Ijoh (Ijaw) people have noticed with keen interest series of protests by the Itseikiri and their allies in both print and electronic media including arguing that, the Ogbe-Ijoh (Ijaw) people are not part of Warri South Local Government. This press briefing is to clear this ignorance and set the records straight.
It is important to note with specific reference to the Supreme Court ordered delineation that, the issue of whether the Ogbe-Ijoh (Ijaw) people are part of Warri South Local Government Area or not was raised at the INEC stakeholders meeting by the Itsekiris, reflected in the minutes of stakeholders meetings and it was dealt with by the stakeholders in the said meetings by resolving that from available intelligence reports, legal documents, physical communities on ground and existing electoral polling units, the Ogbe-Ijoh (Ijaw) people are integral part of Warri South Local Government, but denied electoral representation by not having homogenous electoral wards of their own, but balkanised into different polling units in different wards in Warri South LGA. The Itsekiris too admitted this fact.
It was on this basis that, at the stakeholders meeting of Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo held on 8th of July, 2024 at Government House Annex, Warri preparatory to starting the Fieldwork in Warri South LGA, a team of INEC Field Officers were assigned to the Ijaw areas in Warri South LGA, just as INEC Field Officers were assigned to the Itsekiri and Urhobo areas. Furthermore, the INEC field officers assigned to the Ijaw areas were the only ones who covered the Ijaw areas covered by the proposed Ewein, Bulouama, Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban and part of GRA wards of Warri South LGA. The INEC field officers assigned to Itsekiri and Urhobo areas did not and could not have covered these areas because they are indigenous Ijaw communities, where the Ijaws resides to the knowledge of all persons and authorities. These facts are known to the Itsekiri leaders and especially those who participated in the INEC fieldwork, but are not telling the public.
“For historical purposes and to educate younger Itsekiri people who do not know the founding history of Warri, Ogbe-Ijoh is recorded as the first settlement in the present Warri Urban along the Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri River (otherwise known as the Warri anchorage) in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Indeed, the present Warri started from Ogbe-Ijoh. In 1955, when the first local administrative structure was established and electoral delineation done in Warri Urban, the Ogbe-Ijoh (Ijaw) people were included in the Warri Urban District Council together with a section of Urhobo and Itsekiri as defined by Western Region Laws of Nigeria No 177 of 1955. The said law created four autonomous electoral wards for the Ijaw people of Ogbe-Ijoh, which were– Alders town B3, Ogbe-Ijoh Ward C1, Ogbe-Ijoh Ward C2 and Government Area F1. This structure with elected Ogbe-Ijoh Councillors remained operational till sometime in 1976, when the Olusegun Obasanjo’s Military Government introduced local Government reforms giving birth to the present local Government structure. The defunct Warri Urban District Council is today known as the Warri South Local Government Council.
“It is important to note that, before the introduction of Local Government administration, there were Seven (7) District Councils in the Warri area, including the Warri Urban District Council, which was only the Warri main City. But the Ode-Itsekiri District Council which was not part of the Warri Urban District Council was included to make up the present Warri South LGA.
“The introduction of Local Government Administration and the subsequent delineation of electoral wards in the area concerned led to the balkanization of the hitherto homogenous Ijaw fours in Warri South LGA into mere polling units in different wards mainly as minorities. The electoral wards that, the Ogbe-Ijoh people were balkanized into before the Supreme Court Ordered delineation of electoral wards were Pessu, GRA, Bowen and Okere wards. The Ogbe-Ijoh areas were balkanized into these electoral wards and thereby making them minorities and politically weak. Since the 1976 balkanization of our homogenous four electoral wards, we have always protested and made known to successive electoral bodies of the need to balance the lopsided electoral wards in Warri South Local Government without much success before a group of patriotic Ijaw men sought legal redress leading to the celebrated Supreme Court judgement in December 2nd, 2022.
“It is these Ijaw areas previously delineated in 1955 as Alder’s town B2, Ogbe-Ijoh C1, Ogbe-Ijoh C2 and Government area F1, that the INEC Field Officers assigned to the Ijaw areas visited and delineated as Bulou-Ama Ward 02, Ewein Ward 07 and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban Ward 12 and the part of Ogbe-Ijoh areas in the GRA Ward 08. Hence, the delineation of electoral wards and polling units to cover the Ijaw areas in Warri Urban is not a new development, but has been in existence for decades even before those protesting were born. The recent exercise only seeks to correct an obvious injustice where the Ijaws in Warri South LGA are delineated into different polling units and denied representation in the Warri South LGA administration.
“We wish to state further that, contrary to the false impression been created by the Itsekiris, the Ijaw areas have always been separated from the Itsekiri areas in Warri Urban. It is for this reason that, the Chiefs Law of 1957, CAP 19, provides that, the authority of the Itsekiri monarch, the Olu of Warri excludes Ogbe-Ijoh Areas. The 1979 Bendel State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, B.S.L.N 44, described the Amaokosu of Ogbe-Ijoh as the prescribed authority of Ogbe-Ijoh lands and people in Warri metropolis. This meant that, all the lands of the Ijaw of Ogbe-Ijoh are excluded from claims by the Itsekiri people.
“Furthermore, the Delta State Traditional Rulers, Chiefs and Council Law, Vol. 3, now cap T3 Laws of Delta State, 2006 recognizes four Clans in Warri Metropolis: Itsekiri Kingdom, where the Olu is the prescribed authority, Okere-Urhobo Kingdom where the Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo is the prescribed authority, Agbassa Kingdom where the Ovie of Agbarha is the prescribed authority and the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom where the Amaokosu of Ogbe-Ijoh is the prescribed authority of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom in Warri metropolis.
The purpose of the above laws is to the effect that, the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and their lands in Warri metropolis in Warri South Local Government Area are excluded from the claim of the Itsekiri people. This position has been confirmed by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No CA/AS/441/2016 in a judgement delivered on the 5th of June, 2023.
“In conclusion, we commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for being able to commence the delineation process despite series of litigation against the Commission by the Itseikiri. We also commend the Commission in Warri South Local Government for being fair to all the ethnic nationalities and stakeholders. However, the Ogbe-Ijoh people state that, their areas should have been delineated into atleast five homogenous electoral wards. If the Ogbe-Ijoh people had four electoral wards as far back as 1955, it is only fair for the number to be increased decades after. We therefore call for the creation of more electoral wards for Ijaws in Warri Urban and also urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to disregard frivolous protests against the delineation exercise in Warri South LGA by the Itsekiris.
“We wish to call on the INEC for creation of additional wards and state Constituency for the Ijaws of Warri South. This is predicated on the ground that the Itsekiris and Urhobos already have their own Constituencies in the Warri South.”
Sign for Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom:
Hon. Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor,
(Ijaw Focal Person)
Chief M. Keme,
Comrade Moses Fiyebor.
By: Divine Perezide
As the countdown begins for the forthcoming Ijaw Media Conference Volume 2, the organizers, Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has announced that the President of Egbema Brotherhood, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, has accepted the role of Guest of Honour come December 2025.
IPF had earlier announced the second edition of its annual event, with the Christined “Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations.”
Chief Lawuru, the young Ijaw businessman and politician, received a delegation of the Central Working Committee led by Pastor Arex Akemotubo last Monday, where the invitation was extended to him.
Akemotubo explained that this year’s theme was chosen out of concern for the growing strain on the region’s land and waters. The Publisher of WaffiTV stressed that the forum wants to strengthen public understanding, support honest reporting, and encourage leaders to protect the resources of the Niger Delta for generations to come, adding that Lawuru’s antecedence of service to humanity and unwavering commitment to community development made him a natural choice for the role.
Chief Lawuru welcomed the invitation and spoke warmly about the need for shared responsibility among stakeholders and groups such the IPF. He commended the Forum for using media to defend the region’s interests and promised full support for the conference.
Lawuru further urged other stakeholders across the Ijaw nation to throw their weight behind efforts that safeguard the resources and environment of Ijaw nation in particular and the larger Niger Delta region.
As the train continues to galvanise leaders across the region, IduwiniVoice can report that the who is who in the Niger Delta from business to political sphere are marked to be in attendance.
IduwiniVoice
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NNAMDI KANU: INC CALLS FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION OVER KANU’S LIFE SENTENCE, WARNS AGAINST NATIONAL TENSIONS
By: Favour Bibaikefie
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Global, has expressed concerns over the life sentence handed down to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, urging the Federal Government to pursue a political solution rather than rely solely on judicial outcomes.
In a statement issued from Ijaw House, Yenagoa, on November 22, 2025, the INC President, Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, emphasized that the ruling carries far-reaching implications for National Cohesion, democratic values, and the quest for justice in Nigeria, among other international considerations.
Read the full text of the press statement:
“PRESS STATEMENT BY THE IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC) ON THE RECENT JUDGMENT IN THE CASE OF MR. NNAMDI KANU
“IJAW HOUSE, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA
“22 November, 2025
“The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw people worldwide, has watched with keen interest the developments surrounding the recent life sentence passed on Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“While we acknowledge the authority of the Nigerian judiciary and its right to adjudicate on matters before it, we are deeply concerned about the wider implications of this judgment. The INC, under my leadership, has consistently advocated for the strict adherence to the rule of law, constructive dialogue, and the pursuit of political solutions to address the deep-seated grievances that threaten our national fabric.
“In light of this, the INC hereby states as follows:
1. A Call for Calm and Non-Violence: We strongly urge the people of the South-East and all Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding in the wake of this judgment. We must not allow this moment to be exploited by those who would lead us down a path of destruction and further bloodshed. The challenges we face require wisdom and intellectual engagement, not a descent into anarchy.
2. The Imperative of a Political Solution: The issues that gave rise to the agitations led by Mr. Kanu are fundamentally political in nature. They are rooted in long-standing feelings of marginalization, inequity, and a failure of national integration. A judicial ruling, no matter how definitive, cannot by itself extinguish these underlying causes. We therefore call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately explore and deploy a political solution to this matter. True and lasting peace is achieved not by silencing voices but by addressing the legitimate concerns they raise.
3. A Test of Our Democracy and Federalism: This moment presents a critical test for our democracy. A nation that thrives on the principles of justice and equity must be cautious in the application of laws that can be perceived as punitive rather than corrective. We remind the government that the strength of our federation lies in its ability to accommodate diverse opinions and address grievances through dialogue and inclusive governance.
“The Ijaw people, having ourselves been at the receiving end of a state structure that often disregards the principles of true federalism, empathize with any group that feels alienated and marginalized. We stand for a Nigeria where justice and fairness are not mere slogans but the guiding principles of statecraft.
“We conclude by reiterating our steadfast commitment to a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria, but one that is built on the foundations of justice, equity, and respect for all constituent nationalities
“Signed:
Professor Benjamin Okaba
President,
Ijaw National Congress (INC) Global”
Professor Okaba reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful and united Nigeria founded on true justice, equity, and respect for all nationalities. It called on the government to demonstrate leadership by choosing dialogue over force and by addressing the root causes of agitations across the federation. The INC maintained that only inclusive governance and genuine political engagement can guarantee lasting stability and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
– Invites all critical stakeholders of the Niger Delta to be in attendance
By: Daire Perez,
The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has unveiled plans for the second edition of its annual Ijaw Media Conference, scheduled for December 11, 2025. The event themed “Safeguarding Oil and Gas Natural Resources for Future Generations in the Niger Delta,” will be held at KFT Place, beginning at 12 noon.
In a statement issued by the IPF National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the Forum emphasized that the conference seeks to deepen public awareness of the dangers posed by oil theft, unchecked resources extraction, and worsening environmental degradation across the region. According to the organisation, these activities continue to devastate local ecosystems, disrupt livelihood, and impede sustainable development.
The statement further disclosed that the 2025 planning committee led by Pastor Arex Akemotubo, has been tasked with the honorous task of organising a successful and impactful event. Other members of the committee includes Tare Magbei (Secretary), Ezekiel Kagbala, Sunday Daniel, Mike Ugedi, Doctor Kegbe, Sam Dogitimi, and Tam Okunbiri.
The Forum called on regional leaders, community stakeholders, and young people to collaborate with relevant authorities and security agencies in promoting efforts to safeguard the Niger Delta’s natural resources. It stressed the importance of sustained public engagement in protecting both the environment and the wellbeing of the people.
The IPF encouraged all stakeholders and members of the public to participate in the conference, noting that additional information will be provided in subsequent updates.