Several Ijaw communities in Delta State on Monday shut down major Chevron flow stations in protest against the delay in implementing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ward and polling unit delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency.
The protesters, made up of women and youths from Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Egbema and Diebiri Kingdoms, occupied key oil facilities, including the Abiteye, Olero Creek, Dibi Field and Opuekeba flow stations. They demanded the immediate enforcement of the delineation report prepared by INEC following a Supreme Court directive.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the demonstrators insisted that the exercise was essential to guaranteeing equitable political representation for communities within the constituency.
Protest leaders claimed the action also affected operations at Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana, Egwa 1 and 2, Abiteye and Makaraba flow stations. They alleged that the shutdown had halted about 400,000 barrels of crude oil production per day.
The protesters vowed to continue occupying the facilities until the electoral commission begins implementing the delineation report.
As tensions heightened, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori convened an emergency peace meeting in Asaba with leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups, alongside security chiefs and government officials, to prevent the dispute from escalating.
Addressing stakeholders after the meeting, the governor stressed the need for dialogue and peaceful coexistence, saying Warri remained one family and that disagreements should be resolved through discussion rather than confrontation.
Representatives of the three ethnic nationalities pledged to maintain peace while consultations on the delineation issue continue. Speaking for the Ijaw nation, Godspower Gbenekama assured residents that the group would not resort to violence, while Itsekiri leader Ayiri Emami said all parties had agreed to support the governor’s peace initiative.
Urhobo representative Olorogun Victor Okumagba also stated that stakeholders had resolved to “sheath their swords” and sustain peaceful coexistence in the interest of the Warri Federal Constituency.
The meeting ended with a collective commitment by the three ethnic groups to continue dialogue as efforts to resolve the delineation dispute progress.