How Itsekiri Elites Are Using The Media To Blackmail INEC And Ijaws Of Warri Federal Constituency Over Delineation Report__

By Uche Alvin

PRESS RELEASE

Date: July 19, 2025
From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency

ENOUGH OF THE LIES!

How Itsekiri Elites Are Using the Media to Blackmail INEC and Blackmailing Ijaw People

We, the Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency, want to bring to the attention of Nigerians and the global community a very disturbing trend. Itsekiri elites are using newspapers, radio stations, blogs and other media platforms to spread lies, twist the truth and intimidate government institutions, especially INEC.

Their goal?
To stop the fair and legal process of delineation currently going on in Warri.
To keep Ijaw people voiceless and powerless in our own land.

This is not a new thing. It is the same old game, just with a louder microphone.

The Deliberate Plan to Confuse the Public

In recent weeks, we’ve seen many sponsored articles in the news, pretending to be “concerned opinions.” These write-ups are claiming that the new delineation will give unfair advantages to the Ijaw people. That is a lie. A very big lie.

The delineation process has followed all legal steps, backed by court rulings and supported by actual population data and maps. It is not about favoring anyone, it is about doing what is right and fair after many years of injustice.

But instead of accepting the truth, the Itsekiri elites are crying foul and using media blackmail to confuse Nigerians.

The Victim Card Trick

Let us say it loud and clear:
The Itsekiris are not the victims here.

They say they are being oppressed, but they have controlled the narrative of Warri for decades, claiming all the land and history as their own.

Now that the Ijaw people are finally being recognized through legal and democratic means, they are crying wolf. They are calling for sympathy, not because they are truly suffering but because they fear losing their long-time monopoly.

This is not a tribal fight. This is about justice.

We Are the Real Targets

These media attacks are not just about INEC, they are about destroying the image of the Ijaw people. They want to:

Paint us as aggressors,

Force INEC to reverse its decision,

And silence communities like Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba and Diebiri who have suffered for decades without fair representation.

Let it be known: we are not looking for trouble. We are only asking for what belongs to us by law, by population and by history.

INEC Must Not Be Intimidated

We are calling on INEC, the Nigerian Government, civil society groups, the media and the international community to:

See through the false narratives and emotional manipulation,

Stand by the delineation exercise which promotes fairness and equal representation,

And hold accountable any media platforms being used for ethnic blackmail and misinformation.

The Truth Cannot Be Hidden Anymore

The Ijaw people have suffered in silence for too long.
Our land is not for sale.
Our voice will no longer be ignored.
Our history will no longer be erased.
We will not allow lies to become national policy.

The delineation is not just about voting wards, it is about giving the Ijaw people of Warri their dignity and their democratic right.

We will stand firm.
We will speak up.
And we will not back down.

Signed:

Chief Tiemopere Joshua
(President)

Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime
(Secretary)

Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency

Cc:

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

National Security Adviser

Attorney General of the Federation

Nigerian Press Council

Civil Society Organizations