Itsekiri Youths Elites (IYE) Urge Itsekiris to Remain Focused on Voter Registration, Resist Deliberate Distractions

The leadership of the Itsekiri Youths Elites (IYE) calls on all Itsekiris, especially those within the three Warri Local Government Areas to remain steadfast, resolute, and united in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

The Leadership of IYE have keenly observed the disturbing trends of orchestrating crises and distractions deliberately engineered to prevent Itsekiris from participating in the continuous voter registration.
These incidents are not coincidental but rather a well calculated strategies to weaken Itsekiri participation in this democratic process.

In Warri Southwest, the Itsekiri People are being systematically blocked, threatened, and intimidated by Ogbe-Ijoh elements who are bent on stopping them from registering. Their objective is to gain numerical advantage by disenfranchising Itsekiris, thereby tipping the political balance in their favor.

This form of political manipulation and ethnic intimidation is unacceptable, undemocratic, and unjust. No Nigerian citizen should be denied the right to register and vote in his or her homeland.

In light of the above, we state as follows:

1. That President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria should urgently intervene in Warri Southwest LGA and guarantee the safety and participation of Itsekiris in voter registration without fear of harassment.

2. We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, as a matter of urgency, to create and approve an alternative voter registration and capturing center at Ogidigbẹn (The Gazetted LGA headquarter for Warri South West) for Itsekiris who cannot access Ogbe-Ijoh due to the ongoing hostilities.

3. We demand the Federal Government to revert the Warri Southwest Local Government Headquarters to its original and rightful place at Ogidigbẹn Community.

4. We call on the Itsekiri political class, elected representatives, and stakeholders to rise to this challenge and urgently engage INEC and other relevant authorities to protect the political rights of Itsekiris. Silence and inaction at this critical time will only embolden those who wish to marginalize us.

5. Finally, we appeal to all Itsekiris not to be discouraged or distracted. Let us remain focused on voter registration, for it is through our votes that we will protect our future, defend our heritage, and secure our rightful place in the political structure of Delta State and Nigeria at large.

The time to act is now. We must not allow intimidation to silence our voice or erase our numbers.

Signed:

Comr. Lily-White O. Esigbone
President, Itsekiri Youths Elites (IYE)

Comr. Eboma Tuoyo Michael
Secretary, Itsekiri Youths Elites (IYE)

Comr. Toritseju Joseph Ogharandukun
Public Relations Officer (PRO), Itsekiri Youths Elites (IYE)