INEC Must Stop Delaying Justice in Warri: Warri Reclamation Thrust Warns Against Ethnic Fraud in Proposed Ward Delineation

Warri, Nigeria — August 7, 2025
The Warri Reclamation Thrust (WRT), a leading advocacy group for the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, has issued an urgent call to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria, demanding immediate action and transparency regarding the April 4, 2025, proposed ward delineation report, which the group labels as fraudulent, corrupt, and ethnically driven.
WRT warns that INEC’s silence and delays are suspicious and suggest a state-backed conspiracy to unlawfully deprive the Itsekiri people of their ancestral lands, identity, and political representation within the Warri Federal Constituency.

Not Opposed to Delineation, But Demanding Due Process
The group clarified that the Itsekiri support ward delineation as mandated by the Supreme Court but insist it must strictly follow INEC’s official guidelines and comply with all relevant Supreme Court and other court judgments on land ownership and community boundaries, which recognize the Itsekiri as the aboriginal and rightful landowners across the Warri axis.
They described INEC’s continued silence as a “corruptly influenced attempt” to undermine constitutional order and reward ethnic aggression disguised as reform.

Direct Accusations Against Political Actors and Government Officials
The Warri Reclamation Thrust directly accused several individuals of complicity in the unfolding injustice, including:

• Kingsley Otuaro, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, alleged to have criminally altered boundary maps to favor his Ijaw ethnic group.

• Tompolo, accused of using his government-backed surveillance contract to acquire sophisticated weapons to intimidate and terrorize Itsekiri communities.

• Dennis Otuaro, current administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), described as a “clannish and biased appointee.” The group alleges Otuaro has excluded the Itsekiri from their legitimate entitlements under the Amnesty Programme and used his position, secured through the goodwill of the President and Senator Remi Tinubu’s husband, to promote attacks against the First Lady and advance Gbaramatu-Ijaw expansionist interests at the expense of the broader Niger Delta populace.

The group claims Dennis Otuaro has weaponized the PAP to pursue an ethnic agenda rather than using it for post-conflict recovery and empowerment of all affected Niger Delta communities.

Political Silence as Complicity

The group condemned the inaction of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (an Urhobo), the state’s Chief Security Officer and defender of the rule of law, and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor (a Gbaramatu Ijaw), describing their silence as strategic complicity. They allege both officials are enabling the annexation of Itsekiri lands through deliberate inaction, in collaboration with certain federal institutions.

Call for Action from INEC and Law Enforcement
WRT urged INEC to immediately discard the fraudulent ward delineation proposal, warning that continued delays will deepen mistrust and escalate tensions. “The Constitution is not tribal. Delineation is a legal duty, not a political favor,” they declared.

They also called on the Inspector General of Police and federal security agencies to investigate the manipulation of community boundaries and threats against the Itsekiri people. The group stated that evidence has been submitted to relevant agencies, with international observers notified.

Disrespect to Olu of Warri and Attempted Historical Erasure
The group strongly condemned efforts to disrespect the Olu of Warri, the revered monarch of the Itsekiri Nation, whose kingship predates the creation of Delta State. They warned that any attempt to alter the title or jurisdiction of the Olu is a direct attack on tradition, history, and lawful authority.

They reaffirmed that Warri Kingdom, comprising Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West LGAs, remains historically and legally under Itsekiri control and cannot be redrawn by fiat or ethnic lobbying.

Landlord-Tenant Principle Must Be Upheld
The group emphasized that demographic growth among settler groups does not confer ownership. “You cannot rename communities or assign political wards based on population figures while erasing the aboriginal and legal owners,” they warned. “Delineation must respect land rights, not reward land grabbers.”

Historical Warnings and the Threat of Renewed Crisis
Referencing the violent crises of 1997 and 2003, WRT cautioned that ignoring historical lessons could lead to renewed instability. “The Itsekiri people have resisted forced land takeovers in the past, and we will resist again if necessary,” they stated.

Final Demands
The Warri Reclamation Thrust listed the following non-negotiable demands:

1. Immediate enforcement of all Supreme Court rulings and other court judgments affecting Itsekiri lands and delineation processes.

2. Strict compliance with INEC’s official guidelines for ward delineation.

3. Public withdrawal and rejection of the April 4, 2025, delineation proposal.

4. Full investigation, suspension, arrest, and prosecution of Prof. Rhoda Gumus and others involved in boundary tampering, armed intimidation, and political manipulation.

5. Respect for traditional institutions, particularly the Olu of Warri, and historical truths surrounding Warri Kingdom.

6. Equitable administration of federal programs like PAP, ensuring Itsekiri beneficiaries are not sidelined or excluded for clannish, vindictive agendas.

The group reaffirmed that the Itsekiri people will remain peaceful and law-abiding but will vigorously defend their heritage, identity, and legal rights.