Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Warri leaders of the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities have ordered protesters to vacate all oil and gas facilities in the Warri federal constituency of Delta State, following an emergency meeting with President Bola Tinubu who directed the development of a power-sharing formula to ensure fair distribution of political positions among the three major ethnic groups in the area.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and signed by High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Alaowei Denbo‑Denbofa Oweikpodor, and Chief Westham Adehor, the leaders said the decision came after President Tinubu convened an emergency meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with representatives of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups. The statement noted that aggrieved women, youths and other stakeholders had been protesting at oil facilities and other locations in the constituency since Monday, June 8, over grievances arising from the implementation of a Supreme Court-ordered fresh ward and polling unit delineation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The protests, which spread across several communities in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West local government areas, led to the occupation of key oil facilities and the blockade of parts of the Escravos River, threatening a significant portion of Nigeria’s crude oil production. According to Premium Times, the shutdown of 13 oil flow stations operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Nestoil/Neconde collectively accounted for approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The affected facilities included Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana, Egwa 1 and 2, Abiteye, Makaraba, Olero Creek, Dibi Field and Opuekeba. Demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report” and “No Implementation, No Production,” insisting that oil production would remain halted until INEC implemented the final delineation report presented to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20.
The rising tensions had initially prompted the intervention of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who convened an emergency meeting with leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities at the Government House in Asaba on June 8. However, the protests continued and spread to more parts of the constituency, with additional oil and gas facilities occupied by demonstrators. The situation further attracted the intervention of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who met with community leaders from Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities in the Warri Federal Constituency on June 9 at Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom. According to the statement, Tompolo called for calm to give INEC the opportunity to address the protesters’ grievances and protect critical national oil and gas assets.
The leaders said the protests eventually drew the attention of President Tinubu, who convened an emergency meeting on Thursday with representatives of the three ethnic groups at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. “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 reads. “Drawing inspiration from the national anthem, Mr. President appealed to the ethnic leaders to live as one, though tongue and tribe may differ, but in brotherhood we stand.”
The leaders said Tinubu also directed representatives of the various ethnic groups to agree on a power‑sharing formula to ensure “fair and just sharing of positions” among the ethnic nationalities in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South‑West Local Government Areas, which make up the Warri Federal Constituency. The president further appealed to the ethnic leaders to prevail on the protesters to discontinue their demonstrations.
“In the light of the foregoing, we the Leaders of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State after consultation with other stakeholders hereby call on protesting women, youths and other stakeholders in Ijaw and Urhobo Communities of Delta State to demobilise and vacate all oil and gas facilities occupied in the different parts of the Warri Federal Constituency and the Escravos River,” the leaders said. They described the appeal as “a demonstration of respect to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and aimed at giving stakeholders the opportunity to resolve outstanding issues arising from the Supreme Court‑ordered fresh delineation and allow for its full implementation by INEC.
The leaders also expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori and Tompolo for their timely interventions, which they said led to the cessation of the protest and helped avert further escalation of the crisis. The Warri delineation dispute, which has attracted national attention due to the area’s economic importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, stemmed from a Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 2, 2022, in the case of George U. Timinimi & 9 Others v. INEC, which ordered the electoral commission to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri North, Warri South and Warri South‑West local government areas. INEC subsequently carried out fieldwork across communities in the constituency before presenting a proposed delineation report in April 2025, and eventually unveiled its final report on May 20, 2026, in Asaba.
Observers believe the intervention by President Tinubu could help calm tensions, restore confidence among communities and create a more stable environment ahead of the 2027 general elections. With Thursday’s agreement, stakeholders hope a new chapter of dialogue and cooperation has begun in Warri, ending days of protests and occupation of critical national assets.
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