Itsekiris Shut Down 28,000 BPD Oil Facility in Delta Over INEC Ward Delineation Dispute

Itsekiris Shut Down 28,000 BPD Oil Facility in Delta Over INEC Ward Delineation Dispute

Amid a growing storm of controversy surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed ward delineation for Warri Federal Constituency, the Itsekiri people have taken a bold stand by shutting down a vital oil facility producing 28,000 barrels of crude per day in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

The peaceful protest, which erupted on Wednesday, took place at a facility previously managed by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and recently acquired by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings. The demonstrators — including men, women, and youths — carried placards voicing their frustration and opposition to the delineation.

According to the protesters, INEC’s recommendations amount to an act of ethnic cleansing allegedly carried out in collaboration with unnamed parties.

Reports indicate that the protest could soon expand to other key oil and gas facilities across Itsekiri land, potentially triggering a further decline in Nigeria’s daily crude oil output.

The Itsekiri community is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposed delineation and is urging INEC to undertake a proper delineation exercise that respects the historical and legitimate identities of communities in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas.

INEC unveiled the new delineation plans last Friday, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment mandating a fresh delineation of the area. However, the Itsekiri Nation has categorically rejected the proposal.

At a Sunday press briefing, Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr. Amorighoye Mene, hinted at potential legal action against the Commission.

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He said:

“We expected INEC to consider the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that comprise the area — the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw and other mixed-demographic areas — when delineating the wards and polling units.

At a stakeholders meeting on Friday, INEC unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment that calls for fresh delineation.

We were not allowed to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling, but we have looked at the report given to us and the entire Itsekiri nation completely condemns and rejects the work done by INEC.”

Also voicing opposition is the Itsekiri National Development Initiative (INDI), which criticized the transparency of the entire process. INDI, in a petition, questioned the credibility of the field report released last week in Asaba by INEC officials and called for their removal.

The ongoing tension adds to growing national concern over ethnic representation and fairness in Nigeria’s electoral processes.