Angry Itsekiri protesters have shut down a 28,000 barrels-per-day facility in the Ugborodo Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area. This protest came as a response to what the youths call a biased ward delineation report released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The protesters accuse INEC and its supporters of attempting to marginalize the Itsekiri people through what they describe as an ethnic cleansing agenda. One protester declared, “We won’t allow High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, to use the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to him to push forward any plans that threaten our interests.”
In response to the allegations, Tompolo denied any involvement in the conflict and urged the protesters to refrain from targeting his security outfit. Tompolo’s spokesman, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, emphasized that the facility affected by the protest is not under the jurisdiction of Tantita Security Services, which Tompolo leads. “Nobody dares Tantita. The Ogidigben oil field affected by the protest was under the watch of PINL, not Tantita.said Bebenimibo.
The demonstrators, consisting of men, women, and youths from the Itsekiri nation, are disrupting operations at the oil facility recently acquired by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings from Shell Petroleum Development Company. They carried placards voicing their concerns about INEC’s ward delineation proposal, claiming it favors the Ijaw ethnic group and undermines the Itsekiri community within the Warri Federal Constituency.
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In compliance with a Supreme Court directive to revisit the ward delineation in the region, INEC presented its fieldwork report last Friday in Asaba during a stakeholders’ meeting. However, the Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr. Amorighoye Mene, rejected the report, calling it anti-Itsekiri and inaccurate. “We will resist the implementation of the report. INEC and the Ijaws of Warri South have provoked us,” he warned.
The protesters demand that INEC completely withdraw its proposal and conduct a fresh delineation that respects the historical identity of the Itsekiri communities.
Meanwhile, traditional chiefs and youth leaders from the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom have distanced themselves from comments made by Opuoru, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, during a press conference. Chief John Edgar Eranvor, the Uhoho of Okere-Urhobo, stressed that Opuoru’s views did not represent the kingdom’s stance.
“It is important to note that our leadership structure is intact, and any opinions outside this structure are not valid,” Chief Eranvor stated. He pointed out that the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom is still reviewing INEC’s documents and has yet to formulate a formal position.
Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, the Owena of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, further emphasized that any announcements would come from the monarch or the President-General directly. He urged the public to ignore the unauthorized statements from the Opuoru-led group.
The Youth President, Eboh Okpako Elvis, reminded everyone that there is still a seven-day window for objections regarding INEC’s preliminary documents. “We haven’t exhausted our lawful avenues. We are committed to peaceful engagement,” he affirmed, urging the public to disregard the unauthorized press conference.
As tensions continue, the impact of the protesters’ actions on the surrounding oil and gas infrastructure remains uncertain. The protesters attacked the 28,000bpd facility to make their voices heard and stand up for their community’s interests.
