Residents of Ijaw communities in Delta State on Monday disrupted activities at several oil Flow Stations in the coastal communities of Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The residents, in a peaceful protest, demanded immediate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INECs) final reports on the electoral wards and polling units delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency.

According to them, they want to fully participate in the 2027 general elections.

The protesters which comprised: women, youths and communities leaders stormed several flow stations as early as 5:00 am to halt oil production and vowed to occupy the facilities untill their demand was met.

The protesters were drawn from Ogbe-Ijoh,
Debiri, Gbaramatu and Egbema Kingdoms and among others.

Among the facilities picket were: the Abiteye-Ona flow station, operated by the Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).

Other affected platforms were: Odidi One and Two, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana and Egwa One and Two,
Makaraba, Olero creek, Dibi field and Opuekeba.

The protesters weirded placards with inscriptions such as:
“INEC implement Warri delineation reports”,
“Court Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation,” and “No Implementation, No Production” among others.

Addressing newsmen at Keagbene Community in Abiteye,
Dr Marian Ogoba said the protest was aimed at compelling INEC to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri Federal Constituency.

Ogoba added that the peaceful protest was to compel the national electoral umpire to implement the final reports on the delineation exercise it presented to stakeholders on May 20 in Asaba.

“We are not fighting anybody here. We are only demanding for our rights. We want INEC to implement what the Supreme Court has ordered.

“If our rights are not given to us, this facility will remain shut down. Nothing will happen here until INEC does the right thing,”she said.

Also speaking, Dr Paul Boyitie, the immediate past secretary and opinion leader from Benikrukru Community, faulted the delay by INEC in implementing the final reports.

“The Supreme Court in 2022 ordered a fresh delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency, which was eventually carried out by INEC and the final report presented to stakeholders in Asaba.

“The report clearly identified the wards occupied by the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnic groups. Stakeholders were invited, objections were entertained, and the final report was presented.

“The question is: why is INEC refusing to implement its own report? We are the majority in these areas and we will not allow any micro minority group to determine our political future.

“We want to participate fully in the 2027 general elections under the approved delineation structure. Until INEC implements the report, we will not live this facility,” he said.

Boyitie said that they converged at the Abiteye flow station because the facility had federal government presence.

In same vein , Mrs Fanty Owotorufa, said the Keagbene Community had remained peaceful and would continue to be peaceful.

Owotorufa urged the INEC implement the Supreme Court judgement.

“The Supreme Court has already given its verdict on the delineation of electoral wards, what remains is the implementation.

“We are peace-loving people, but we want INEC to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court and implement the final delineation report already announced,” she said.

At the Otunana flow station, protesters maintained a similar position, insisting that oil production would remain halted until the delineation report is implemented.

Speaking on behalf of Krukrudagbene Community, Mrs Edith Odafe said the protest was about securing the implementation of the approved wards and state constituencies announced by the INEC.

“We are gathered here because the wards allocated to us should be implemented. Nobody should take what belongs to us and nobody should tamper with our rights,” she said.

Odafe said that the implementation of the delineation of the report on Warri Federal Constituency was crucial to ensuring fair political representation ahead of the 2027 general elections.