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OPEN LETTER TO INEC, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
RE: “The Final Report or Final Resistance — We Will Not Accept Political Slavery in Warri”
From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: July 29, 2025
INTRODUCTION: A NATION’S FAILURE IS BREEDING A PEOPLE’S RAGE
We write with burning hearts and weary hands, not because we enjoy confrontation but because we have been forced into it. What we witness today is a democratic betrayal in slow motion. INEC, through deliberate silence and cowardice is fanning the embers of crisis in Warri.
We, the Ijaw people of Warri Federal Constituency, are staring at the edge of political extinction. You know the truth. You have seen the population data. You have walked the communities. You have obeyed the Supreme Court by initiating the delineation process and yet you now pause, not because of legal hindrance but because of tribal intimidation and fear of a media-manipulating minority.
How can a constitutionally empowered body become a hostage to the voice of a fabricated monarchy?
How can a Federal Commission ignore the pain of a people who chose courts over crisis, only to be mocked with silence?
Enough is enough. Our voice must be heard. Our rights must be respected. Our land must be represented.
This is not just about delineation, it is about the survival of a people in the land of their birth. And if INEC continues to deny us justice, then let it be known that we will not go quietly. We will rise boldly, lawfully and forcefully.
“THE FINAL REPORT OR FINAL RESISTANCE: WE WILL NOT ACCEPT POLITICAL SLAVERY”
INEC, understand this clearly: this is not about ballot boxes or registration figures. This is a struggle for our existence, identity and survival.
Your delay in announcing our rightful wards is not just a procedural lapse, it is the erasure of our voice. And when you erase our voice, you pave the road to political slavery, where we become spectators in a homeland built by the sweat and bones of our ancestors.
We did not chase out colonizers only to bow to domestic impostors.
We did not survive military dictatorship only to kneel before a compromised commission.
We did not raise a generation of educated sons and daughters only to be governed by media-fueled falsehoods.
Release the final report or prepare for resistance beyond control, not with guns but with purpose. Not with violence but with resolve.
“JUSTICE DENIED IS VIOLENCE INVITED: INEC IS PLAYING WITH FIRE IN WARRI”
There is a red line and INEC is dangerously close to crossing it.
Each moment of delay pushes Warri closer to the edge. Each second of silence signals complicity. And when the people believe that justice no longer exists, resistance becomes inevitable.
You are not preserving peace. You are provoking war.
You are not stabilizing the region. You are radicalizing a patient people.
Do not act surprised when things explode, you lit the fuse.
“THE LIES OF FEW CONNOT SILENCE THE MAJORITY — INEC, PUBLISHED THE WARDS NOW”
The Ijaw people are the indisputable majority in Warri South-West, this is not propaganda. It is fact. It is backed by field data. It is confirmed by your own reports.
Why then does INEC tremble before a minority clique?
Why is the voice of a few more powerful than the rights of the many?
This is not democracy. This is not justice. This is political hostage-taking and INEC is enabling it.
“YOU SAW THEIR NUMBERS, YOU COUNTED THEIR LIES, NOW TELL THE WORLD THE TRUTH”
You came. You saw. You documented.
You toured the creeks, you entered Ijaw towns, you inspected schools, polling units, oil installations and you saw the truth with your own eyes: Ijaw communities are larger, more numerous and more structured than those claiming superior stake.
You also visited Itsekiri enclaves and you saw how scattered and inflated their claims are.
So why does your hand tremble when the truth begs to be written?
“FROM THE SUPREME COURT TO THE STREET: THE IJAW PEOPLE WILL DEFEND THEIR LAND”
We obeyed the courts. We respected the Constitution. But law without enforcement is deceit.
The Supreme Court in Timinimi v INEC directed you to resume the delineation. You did. But now, you’ve stopped halfway, out of fear of Itsekiri tears?
Let it be known: we are moving from the courtroom to the streets.
We will mobilize. We will blockade. We will shut down operations. We will not allow political trespassers to divide our inheritance while we fold our arms.
“INEC IS NOT ABOVE THE LAWS: THE TIMINIMI V INEC JUDGEMENT MUST BE RESPECTED”
INEC is a creation of the law, not above it.
Your refusal to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment is not a delay; it is contempt of court, contempt of justice and contempt of the Ijaw people.
If you cannot respect the law, then INEC is nothing but an outlaw commission with no moral or constitutional authority.
“YOU DELAY THE TRUTH, WE WITHDRAW OUR CONSENT: NO INEC ACTIVITY WITHOUT JUSTICE”
Effective now, we withdraw all cooperation.
No logistics. No voter registration. No collation. No presence.
INEC will not operate on Ijaw soil until justice is done.
We will not endorse our own oppression.
“OUR PATIENCE IS NOT WEAKNESS: WE CHOOSE THE COURTROOM OVER
CRISES — DON’T PUSH US FURTHER”
Do not confuse our peace for fear.
Do not mistake our silence for surrender.
We are the same people who shook this nation during the resource control struggle.
We brought multinational oil companies to their knees.
And if you push us again, we will do more than you imagined.
“WE WILL DEFEND OUR LAND WITH FACTS, WITH LAW AND IF PUSHED — WITH FIRE”
We have evidence. We have legal victories. We have ancestral rights.
But if INEC continues to ignore these, if you keep insulting our people, we will defend our land with the fierce resistance of a people with nothing left to lose.
We are not afraid. We are not alone. And we will not fold.
FINAL WARNING
INEC, this is your moment to rise or fall.
You can choose justice and stand tall in the pages of Nigerian history
Or you can sink into infamy as the institution that set Warri ablaze again.
Announce the final delineation report now. Let justice be done. Or face resistance that history will never forget.
The clock is ticking.
The creeks are watching.
The ancestors are stirring.
Signed:
Chief Tiemopere Joshua
(President)
Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime
(Secretary)
Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Cc:
• INEC Chairman
• President of Nigeria
• National Assembly
• National Security Adviser
• United Nations
• African Union
• ECOWAS
• DSS
• Amnesty International
• Human Rights Watch
• Global Media
• Niger Delta Governors Forum
• Multinational Oil Companies
• Civil Society Organizations
By Favour Bibaikefie
YENAGOA — IduwiniVoice Media Limited has lauded the leadership of Prof. Benjamin Okaba, outgoing President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), for overseeing what it described as a historic and credible electoral process, with particular emphasis on the successful deployment of a fully electronic voting system.
In a congratulatory message signed by its Chief Executive Officer/Editor-in-Chief, Prince (Dr.) Peretengboro Klintin Bibaikefie, the media organisation commended Okaba for demonstrating “leadership, intellectual capacity and sagacity” throughout his tenure, noting that his insistence on conducting elections ahead of the constitutional deadline preserved the integrity of the council.
The statement stressed that the decision to avoid any form of interim or ad-hoc leadership structure “saved the Ijaw nation from a familiar pitfall that could have weakened its governance framework,” describing the move as a bold commitment to democratic principles.
Of particular significance, the organisation highlighted the introduction and execution of a fully electronic voting system, which it said marked a turning point in the conduct of internal elections within the Ijaw nation.
According to IduwiniVoice, Okaba’s “provision of necessary resources for the deployment of a totally electronic voting system is astutely exemplary,” adding that the process ensured transparency, efficiency, and credibility throughout the April 13, 2026 elections.
The media outfit further noted that the seamless conduct of the poll, characterized by real-time voting and result transmission, has set a new benchmark not only for socio-cultural organisations but also for national electoral bodies. It described the innovation as “a credible lesson” for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging that such technology be scaled up and replicated in Nigeria’s general elections to enhance public trust and electoral integrity.
IduwiniVoice also used the opportunity to commend the peaceful transition process initiated by the outgoing leadership, noting that Okaba’s readiness to hand over power to a successor reflects a rare commitment to democratic values in a region where leadership continuity is often contested.
The statement added that, “in a world where privileged individuals often cling to power, Prof. Okaba has once again demonstrated that greed, selfishness, and sit-tight tendencies are not reflective of the true character of an Ijaw son.”
As the INC prepares for a new phase under incoming leadership, the organisation wished the outgoing president a smooth transition and success in his future endeavours, applauding his “true patriotism and unwavering service to the Ijaw nation.”
The April 13 election, widely regarded as one of the most technologically driven in the history of the INC, has continued to attract commendation from stakeholders across the Niger Delta, with observers citing the electronic voting model as a pathway for broader electoral reforms in Nigeria.
By Charity Ebi
The emergence of Chief (Amb.) Sheriff Mulade as National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has been described as a strong endorsement of accountability and reform within the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body.
Reacting to the outcome of the April 13, 2026 national elections, the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) said Mulade’s victory reflects the trust reposed in him by delegates across the region, citing his long-standing advocacy for peace, environmental justice, and good governance.
In a statement issued by its President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the forum noted that the election outcome demonstrates a collective desire among Ijaw stakeholders for transparent financial leadership at a time when the INC is expected to reposition itself for greater impact.
Mulade, who is also the National President of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), clinched the treasurer position after a keen contest that attracted widespread interest within the Niger Delta. His emergence, according to observers, signals a shift toward experienced leadership with a proven record in community engagement and advocacy.
The IPF emphasised that the new treasurer’s reputation for prudence and integrity places him in a strategic position to strengthen financial discipline within the congress. The forum added that effective management of resources would be critical in enabling the INC to meet its objectives and respond to the evolving needs of the Ijaw people.
It further urged stakeholders, including leaders, youths, and affiliated groups, to rally support for the newly elected executives to ensure stability and continuity in the organisation’s programmes.
Analysts view Mulade’s election as a defining moment for the INC, expressing optimism that his leadership in the treasury will contribute to improved transparency and institutional growth.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote unity, development, and responsible leadership across Ijawland, while wishing the new treasurer a productive tenure.
By Favour Bibaikefie
YENAGOA — The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has congratulated High Chief Barr. MacDonald Ebi Igbadiwei on his emergence as President-elect of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) following the April 13, 2026 election held at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In a statement released on Monday, the National President of IPF, Ozobo Austin, described Igbadiwei’s victory as a significant turning point for the Ijaw nation, noting that the outcome reflects the collective will and aspirations of the people.
According to the Forum, the mandate given to the President-elect goes beyond electoral success, representing a deeper trust reposed in a leader believed to possess a clear understanding of the region’s historical struggles and the pathway to its progress.
“Igbadiwei rises from the very essence of our land. His emergence signals that the right leadership has taken charge at a critical time,” the statement noted, adding that the moment resonates strongly across Ijaw communities.
The IPF highlighted Igbadiwei’s experience, communication skills, and intellectual depth as qualities that position him to steer the affairs of the Ijaw nation effectively. It expressed confidence that his leadership would foster unity, strengthen communal identity, and advance the socio-political and economic interests of the people.
The Forum further urged the President-elect to remain guided by the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people, emphasizing the need for inclusive leadership anchored on cultural values and shared responsibility.
Meanwhile, the IPF called on all aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders in the recently concluded election to set aside their differences in the interest of unity and progress. It described the contest as an internal democratic exercise that should not create lasting divisions among Ijaw people.
The Forum stressed that pressing challenges facing the region—including environmental concerns, development deficits, and political representation—require a united and coordinated approach.
It appealed to former contenders to contribute their ideas, experience, and support to the new leadership, noting that collective effort remains essential in advancing the Ijaw cause.
According to the IPF, history will favour those who prioritise the common good over personal ambition, urging all sons and daughters of Ijaw land to rally behind the new INC leadership in building a stronger and more prosperous future for the nation.