A major oil facility producing 28,000 barrels of crude oil per day in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, has been shut down by protesting members of the Itsekiri ethnic group. The protest follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recently proposed ward delineation for the Warri Federal Constituency.
The peaceful demonstration took place on Tuesday at the oil facility formerly operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), now managed by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings. Protesters, including men, women, and youths, stormed the site carrying placards denouncing what they described as an attempt at ethnic marginalization.
The Itsekiri protesters accused INEC and unnamed collaborators within the state of orchestrating a form of ethnic cleansing through the new ward delineation plan. They are demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposal, insisting that a fair and inclusive delineation should reflect the historical and legitimate community names in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas.
Vowing to escalate their actions, the protesters warned they would target other vital oil and gas installations across Itsekiri land if their concerns were not addressed promptly.
The protest comes in response to INEC’s release last Friday of its proposed new wards and polling units for the Warri Federal Constituency, in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling mandating fresh delineation in the area.
However, the Itsekiri Nation has rejected the proposed map, accusing INEC of ignoring demographic realities. Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, the Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr. Amorighoye Mene, criticized INEC for failing to consider the ethnic composition of the constituency — including the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, and other groups — during the delineation process.
“We were not given the opportunity to speak or respond during the stakeholders’ meeting where the proposals were unveiled,” Mene said. “Having reviewed the report, the entire Itsekiri Nation rejects and condemns the ward delineation presented by INEC.”
He added that legal action against the electoral body was being considered.
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