Warri, Delta State – April 7, 2025: Violence erupted in Warri, Delta State, on Sunday night following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency, resulting in the death of one person and the destruction of several houses.
The incident occurred on Odion Road in Warri South Local Government Area, amid rising ethnic tensions stemming from the political reconfiguration. Security operatives, including soldiers and police officers, have since been deployed to the area to prevent further escalation.
The unrest follows protests by Itsekiri youths who allege political marginalization in the newly drawn ward boundaries. The Itsekiri, who appear to have lost significant political ground in the delineation, have rejected the outcome.
A prominent Itsekiri leader, Chief Eyewuoma, condemned the development in a statement issued on Monday morning, vowing that the ethnic group would seek legal redress.
According to the report submitted by INEC, the Ijaws and Urhobos gained additional political influence under the new arrangement, a shift that has fueled fears of renewed inter-ethnic conflict.
There is growing concern that the killing—reportedly of an Ijaw man—could deepen tensions between the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities, or even spark a broader conflict involving the Urhobo group.
The delineation exercise, mandated by a Supreme Court ruling delivered on December 2, 2022, was completed in July 2024. INEC presented its report last Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, presented the report to representatives of the three major ethnic nationalities—Chief Victor Okumagba (Urhobo), Dr. Andrew Igban (Itsekiri), and Dr. Joe Bisina (Ijaw).
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, represented by National Commissioner Professor Rhoda Gumus, stated that the commission had held multiple engagement meetings and carried out extensive fieldwork between July 10 and July 27, 2024.
“This delineation reflects our commitment to democratic processes and constitutional mandates,” he said.
The REC, Sir Umoren, described the report as a “critical cornerstone” toward implementing the Supreme Court judgment, adding that numerous stakeholder consultations preceded the final submission.
Sources familiar with the report revealed the new ward distribution across the Warri Federal Constituency:
Warri North: Ijaws – 10 wards, Itsekiris – 8 wards
Warri South West: Ijaws – 15 wards, Itsekiris – 4 wards
Warri South: Ijaws – 3 wards, while Urhobos dominate the remaining 17 out of 20
The imbalance has triggered discontent among the Itsekiri, who argue that the distribution unfairly diminishes their political influence in the region.
As the situation unfolds, community leaders and security officials are calling for calm while efforts are made to prevent further violence.
