A youth group in the Niger Delta has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately suspend the ongoing ward delineation exercise in the Warri area of Delta South Senatorial District, citing rising ethnic tensions and the risk of unrest.
Speaking at a press conference in Asaba on Monday, the Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought, led by Chairman Daniel Omoraro, warned that the delineation process is fueling divisions among the Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo ethnic groups, and could trigger a breakdown of law and order if not urgently addressed.
The group expressed concern that the exercise is already sparking protests and the shutdown of key oil facilities, which have persisted for nearly two months.
“We are here today to draw the attention of INEC, the Presidency, and the Office of the National Security Adviser to the growing crisis in Warri Metropolis,” Omoraro said. “The current delineation exercise, if not suspended or properly managed, could destabilize the peace that the Niger Delta has enjoyed in recent years.”
According to the group, the Warri area—historically shared by Itsekiris, Ijaws, and Urhobos—has maintained a delicate ethnic and political balance. However, the ongoing delineation is perceived as favoring one group over others, particularly ahead of the 2031 gubernatorial elections when power is expected to rotate back to Delta South.
“We view this move as an attempt to tip the demographic and political scale in favor of a particular ethnic group, thereby weakening the Itsekiri bloc and isolating them politically,” Omoraro stated. “Such a move could also marginalize Isoko interests in the region, undermining our collective stake in Delta State’s future.”
The group warned that the escalating tensions could spiral into a larger ethnic conflict, especially in volatile areas like Warri, if the Federal Government fails to act swiftly.
They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser to intervene immediately by halting the delineation process and ensuring that fairness, equity, and inclusiveness are restored in political decision-making in the region.
“We call on the President to suspend the current INEC ward delineation in Warri, which we believe is aimed at destabilizing the political equilibrium among the ethnic groups in Delta South,” the group added. “This is critical not just for the political future of the region, but also for maintaining peace and protecting vital national oil assets.”
The call comes amid a broader concern over rising ethnic tensions in oil-producing areas of the Niger Delta, where local communities often accuse federal agencies of ignoring longstanding power-sharing arrangements and economic marginalization.
