Months of tension, protests and uncertainty over the controversial ward and polling unit delineation in Delta State’s oil-rich Warri Federal Constituency may be drawing to a close after President Bola Tinubu personally intervened to secure a peace agreement among leaders of the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities.
The breakthrough came on Thursday during a high-level meeting in Abuja attended by President Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and prominent stakeholders from the three ethnic groups whose communities span Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas.
The dispute, triggered by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) implementation of a Supreme Court judgment on electoral ward delineation, had generated sharp disagreements, protests and concerns over representation, political inclusion and demographic considerations in one of Nigeria’s most strategic oil-producing regions.
Announcing the outcome of the meeting, Governor Oborevwori said all parties had agreed on terms of settlement aimed at restoring peace and ensuring fairness in the constituency.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to Mr President for his decisive intervention in resolving the Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation matter,” the governor said.
He commended leaders of the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities for embracing dialogue and accepting the agreement, describing their actions as a commitment to peace, justice and unity.
“This is a time for all of us to come together as one people, strengthen our bonds of brotherhood, and work collectively for the peace, stability and progress of our state,” Oborevwori stated.
The governor urged all stakeholders to place the collective interest of Delta State above ethnic and political differences, expressing confidence that the agreement would foster harmonious coexistence and accelerate development across the region.
The Warri delineation dispute had attracted national attention because of the area’s economic importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. 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.
INEC had recently restored Warri South-West II and Warri North II State Constituencies as part of efforts to comply with court directives, a move that further heightened political interest in the region.
With Thursday’s settlement, stakeholders hope a new chapter of dialogue and cooperation has begun in Warri, ending months of division and paving the way for peaceful political participation across the constituency.
