Delta Ijaw Communities Shut Chevron Facilities Over Warri Delineation Dispute as Oborevwori Moves to Avert Crisis

A simmering political dispute over ward and polling unit delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency escalated on Monday as women and youths from several Ijaw communities shut down major Chevron oil facilities in Delta State.

The protesters, drawn from Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Egbema and Diebiri Kingdoms, occupied key flow stations including Abiteye, Olero Creek, Dibi Field and Opuekeba, demanding the immediate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s delineation report.

The report was produced following a Supreme Court directive aimed at addressing longstanding electoral representation concerns within the constituency.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters insisted that the delineation exercise was necessary to ensure fairness and adequate political representation for communities in the area.

Leaders of the protest claimed the action disrupted operations at several strategic oil installations, including Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana, Egwa 1 and 2, Abiteye and Makaraba flow stations.

They further alleged that approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil production per day had been shut in as a result of the protest.

The demonstrators vowed to sustain the shutdown until INEC begins implementing the delineation report.

The development heightened concerns over potential economic implications given the strategic importance of the affected facilities to Nigeria’s oil production output.

Amid growing tension, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori convened an emergency peace meeting in Asaba involving leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.

The meeting brought together ethnic leaders, senior government officials and security chiefs to prevent the dispute from degenerating into violence.

Addressing stakeholders after the meeting, Governor Oborevwori stressed the importance of dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

“We want peace in Warri Federal Constituency. The stakeholders have assured me that they will keep to the peace accord. Under the MORE Agenda, we have promised Deltans enhanced peace and security, and we do not need any crisis in our dear state,” the governor said.

He described Warri as one family and urged all parties to embrace negotiation rather than confrontation.

Leaders of the three ethnic groups pledged to maintain peace while discussions over the delineation issue continue.

Speaking on behalf of the Ijaw nation, Chief Godspower Gbenekama assured residents that the Ijaw people would remain peaceful and law-abiding.

Similarly, prominent Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami, said all parties had agreed to respect the governor’s appeal for calm and avoid actions capable of threatening public peace.

Urhobo representative, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, also stated that stakeholders had resolved to sheath their swords and prioritise peaceful coexistence in the interest of residents of the constituency.

The meeting ended with a collective commitment by the three ethnic nationalities to sustain dialogue and preserve peace as efforts continue to find a lasting resolution to the delineation dispute.