The simmering tension in the oil-rich Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom has reached boiling point, as community leaders have issued a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what they allege is a deliberate and systemic marginalization in the ongoing ward delineation exercise in Warri South West Local Government Area.
At a no-holds-barred press conference convened today, spokespersons for the Ogbe-Ijoh Oil Producing Communities condemned what they described as a "rigged" delineation process orchestrated by three unnamed INEC National Commissioners. The officials, the communities allege, are working behind closed doors to suppress Ogbe-Ijoh’s political influence by allocating fewer Registration Areas than warranted by verifiable population and geographic data.
According to the community leaders, despite being home to major oil installations—such as the Ajuju/Batan fields, Odidi I & II, Egwa II, Ikeremor manifold, and the Ugbanabubou oil field—the Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom has been unjustly assigned only two out of nineteen proposed Registration Areas.
They argued that this allocation grossly contradicts both the National Population Commission (NPC) figures and INEC’s own field reports, which allegedly show that Ogbe-Ijoh accounts for more than 40% of the landmass and population of Warri South West LGA.
In the words of one speaker at the briefing:
“This is not just statistical manipulation—it’s a strategic disenfranchisement of a people who have contributed immensely to the economic backbone of this nation.”
The delegation further alleged that the three National Commissioners in question have refused to visit the area or consult the INEC field officers who conducted the groundwork. Instead, they have reportedly imposed ward allocations that heavily favour other, less populous ethnic groups—some receiving up to nine and five wards respectively—while Ogbe-Ijoh is left with a paltry two.
Even more disturbing, the leaders said, is the claim that genuine INEC field officers who provided accurate reports are now facing threats of sack, redeployment, or intimidation from higher authorities—an action the communities believe is aimed at silencing truth and obstructing justice.
The group also referenced the Supreme Court ruling that mandated a fresh delineation of Warri Federal Constituency due to irregularities in the previous arrangement. Ironically, they said, the current process is now “more flawed and compromised than the one it was intended to correct.”
“We have reached a point where silence is no longer an option,” the statement declared. “INEC has veered dangerously from its constitutional duty to ensure fairness and equity. If the commission becomes a tool in the hands of power brokers, the very foundation of our democracy is at risk.”
The Ogbe-Ijoh Oil Producing Communities are demanding the following:
Immediate removal of the three National Commissioners from the Warri South West delineation process;
Strict reliance on credible data from the NPC and INEC’s authentic field reports;
Reconstitution of the review team to ensure impartiality and compliance with the Electoral Act.
They concluded with a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser to step in and avert what they warned could become a major disruption to the nation’s oil and gas operations.
“We are a peace-loving people,” the leaders said, “but if this injustice continues unchecked, we will be compelled to shut down all oil facilities in our domain. Let it be known that we will not be silent in the face of injustice.”
The statement was jointly signed by Deacon Clement Tekedor, Chief Samson Oyimi, Emmanuel Kusimi, and Hon. Johnbull Aniyanghan, speaking on behalf of the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Oil Producing Communities.
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