Foremost Ijaw Group, Concerned Watchers Of Warri Federal Constituency Demands Immediate Publication Of Warri Ward Delineation Report, Says Ijaws Are Not Strangers In Warri -

By Uche Alvin

PRESS RELEASE

WE ARE NOT STRANGERS — IJAW PEOPLE DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION OF THE WARRI WARD DELINEATION RESULT

We, the Indigenous Ijaw People of Warri Federal Constituency, cry out with deep pain and unwavering resolve to the conscience of Nigeria and the global community. For decades, we have endured systemic exclusion, endured historical distortions and suffered political marginalization all while pursuing justice through lawful and democratic means.

Today, we declare with absolute clarity.
We are not strangers. We are the original people of Warri.

It is a national embarrassment and a historical injustice that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed to publish the final and legitimate ward delineation result for Warri Federal Constituency, a process that has passed through all lawful procedures, received legal backing and has been upheld by a competent court of jurisdiction.

We ask.
What is INEC afraid of?
Why are the rights of an entire indigenous population being held hostage to the selfish interests of a few?
What happened to fairness, transparency and the rule of law?

ITSEKIRI POLITICAL INTERFERENCE MUST BE EXPOSED

With a sense of disappointment and concern, we note that certain elements within the Itsekiri elite have resorted to desperate lobbying, moving from palace to palace, kingdom to kingdom and authority to authority, from government circles to traditional institutions like the Benin and Yoruba monarchs, exerting undue pressure on INEC to suppress a valid process.

This is not just interference, it is a coordinated attempt to undermine democracy and deny the Ijaw people their right to political representation and historical truth.

THE LANDLORDS WERE ONCE WELCOMED GUESTS

Let the facts be repeated for the records:

The Itsekiris came and met the Ijaw people in Warri.

We received them with dignity.

We shared our land, offered them peace and allowed them space to grow. But in a painful twist of irony, these former guests now claim ownership over the very land that sheltered them manipulating history and spreading false narratives with the intent to erase the generosity that gave them footing.

IF YOU DISAGREE, GO TO COURT — DON’T SUBVERT DUE PROCESS

We waited patiently.
We respected the rule of law, even when the Ijaw son of the soil, President Goodluck Jonathan, held the highest office in the land.
We did not abuse power. We followed the process, step by step.

Now that we have come to the finish line, if the Itsekiris disagree with the result, let them challenge it in court and not resort to backroom pressure, political blackmail and institutional manipulation.

THERE WILL BE NO ELECTION IN WARRI UNDER AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE

Let it be known, clearly and firmly.

Unless the final ward delineation result is released, there will be no election in the three Warri Local Government Areas come 2027.

We will not participate in an electoral process using a ward structure already nullified by a competent court. It is unjust, unconstitutional and an insult to democracy to expect us to vote under an arrangement that perpetuates our marginalization.

YOU CANNOT RULE FROM LAND YOU PAY RENT ON

Here lies a most uncomfortable truth.

The Olu of Warri’s palace stands on Urhobo land and the Itsekiris pay rent to the Urhobos. Yet, these same people parade themselves as the landlords of Warri, citing nonexistent court cases, manipulated colonial records and manufactured histories.

We ask again. How can you claim ownership over land where you pay rent? How can you rule over people whose language, culture and ancestry you do not share?

OUR APPEAL TO THE WORLD

We are calling on:

INEC: Publish the final delineation result now. The Ijaw people will no longer tolerate silence and sabotage.

The Federal Government: Uphold justice. Let truth and equity prevail over tribal bias and political compromise.

The International Community and Democracy Observers: Take notice. What is happening in Warri is a calculated suppression of indigenous identity through bureaucracy and power play.

OUR SPIRIT REMAINS UNBROKEN

We are the Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Isaba and Diebiri.
We are indigenous people not squatters.
We have carried this pain for too long.
We now demand recognition not as a privilege but as a constitutional right and an irreversible historical truth.

Let the system speak the truth.
Let justice prevail.
Or let history remember those who chose silence in the face of injustice.

Signed:
Comr. Abraye Freeborn
President, Concerned Watchers of Warri Federal Constituency