*Stakeholders Pledge Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
*Women Protest Delayed Implementation, Shut Oil Facilities
DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Monday, June 8, intervened in efforts to douse tensions arising from the ward and unit delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency by convening a peace meeting with Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo leaders at Government House, Asaba.
The meeting, attended by ethnic leaders, security chiefs and top government officials, focused on preserving peace and fostering dialogue among the various ethnic nationalities in the area, following protest and suspicion over the delineation process.
At the meeting, Oborevwori stressed the need for unity and peaceful coexistence among the people of Warri residents, saying peace and security remain central pillars of his administration.
The governor said: “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.
“Warri is one family; there is nothing that we cannot resolve through dialogue. That is why I called this meeting, even at a short notice.
“We are ready to work together and sustain the peace we are enjoying. We will continue to work with security agencies and all ethnic nationalities to ensure lasting peace in the federal constituency and every part of the state.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ijaw, Godspower Gbenekama commended the governor for his intervention, assuring Deltans that Ijaw people remained committed to peace.
Victor Okumagba, who represented the Urhobo, said: “After extensive discussions, we agreed that all parties should sheath their swords.
“We have also agreed to maintain and sustain peace for the benefit of all residents of Warri Federal Constituency.”
On behalf of the Itsekiri, Ayirimi Emami said: “We came with our position regarding the ward delineation issue, but the governor has spoken and directed that everyone should keep their swords.
“We have all agreed to maintain peace and will return home to relay the message to our people.”
The meeting ended with a commitment by leaders of the three ethnic nationalities to uphold peace and dialogue.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women, youths and community leaders from Ijaw and Urhobo communities, on Monday shut down several strategic oil and gas facilities in the constituency, insisting that oil production would remain on hold until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) implements the delineation report.
The peaceful protest, which affected Kenyagbene (Abiteye) Flow Station, Otunana, Jones Creek, Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Egwa 1 and 2 Flow Stations facilities, added a new dimension to the exercise, which followed a Supreme Court judgment.
The protesters, bearing placards with diferent inscriptions, such as “INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report,” “Court Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation,” and “No Implementation, No Production,” accused the electoral body of failing to implement a report it presented to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20.
Addressing journalists at the Kenyagbene (Abiteye) Flow Station, Marian Ebike A. Ogoba, said the protest was driven by years of perceived marginalisation, despite the communities’ contributions to the nation’s economy.
She stated: “We are not fighting anybody; we are only demanding our rights. We want INEC to implement what the Supreme Court has ordered.
“If our rights are not given to us, this facility will remain shut down. Nothing will happen here until INEC does the right thing.”
Fanty Goodness Owotorufa, on her part, said the communities had chosen a peaceful path, but remained resolute in their demand for justice, adding: “The Supreme Court has already given its verdict on the delineation of wards. What remains is implementation. That is why we are here. We are peace-loving people, but we want INEC to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court.
“The people gathered here today are from these communities. We are not causing trouble; we only want the implementation of the delineation report already approved and announced.”
At Otunana flow station, Edith Odafe stated: “We are not going out of this flow station until the right thing is been done.”
