Growing tensions over the proposed Warri Federal Constituency Ward Delineation Exercise escalated on Thursday as Comrade Joseph Okotie, President of Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths (UIY), publicly challenged the positions taken by Senators Joel Onowakpo (Delta South) and Ede Dafinone (Delta Central).
He called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to initiate an immediate and comprehensive investigation into what he described as a flawed and disputed process.
Speaking at a press conference in Warri, Okotie alleged that the delineation exercise has been riddled with “glaring irregularities,” noting that the Itsekiri, Ogbe-Ijoh and several other community blocs have rejected the ongoing process.
He maintained that the controversies surrounding the exercise threaten to undermine fairness, representation and peace in the constituency.
Former President of the defunct Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC), Comrade Esimaje Awani, who also addressed journalists, expressed unequivocal support for the Itsekiri people, stressing that silence would no longer be an option in the face of perceived injustice.
According to Awani, efforts to maintain calm should not translate into acceptance of what he called a skewed political arrangement. “Peace cannot be achieved at the expense of justice,” he said, warning that the majority Itsekiri population in Warri Federal Constituency would resist any attempt to marginalise them.
Their remarks follow a dramatic confrontation at the Senate earlier in the week when Senator Solomon Lalong, Chair of the Senate Committee on Electoral and Judicial Matters, moved a motion seeking a probe into the contentious ward delineation.
Senator Onowakpo reportedly attempted to halt the debate, insisting that the issue was sub judice.
In a symbolic gesture of solidarity and unity, Awani lowered the INYC flag and hoisted that of the UIY, affirming the group’s legitimacy and allegiance to His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri.
The controversy continues to deepen as calls for transparency and federal intervention grow louder across the region.
