By Akpokona Omafuaire
GBARAMATU — Residents from several Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Monday staged protests at a number of oil flow stations over the non-implementation of a ward delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The protesters, including women, youths and community leaders from communities such as Diebiri, Ogbe-Ijoh, Egbema and Gbaramatu, gathered at several oil facilities carrying placards demanding the implementation of the delineation report.
Among the inscriptions on the placards were: “Implement Warri Delineation Report,” “Court-Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation,” and “No Implementation, No Production.”
The demonstrators said they would continue their protest until authorities take steps to implement the delineation framework.
Speaking during the protest, community representatives accused INEC of delaying the implementation of the exercise despite the completion of consultations and the presentation of a final report to stakeholders.
They argued that the delineation process was intended to address issues relating to political representation within the Warri Federal Constituency and called for its implementation ahead of future elections.
Several speakers at the protest said the action was peaceful and aimed at drawing attention to their demands.
Community leaders also urged the Federal Government, INEC and other stakeholders to intervene and resolve the matter through dialogue.
Sources within the affected communities said activities at some oil facilities were disrupted as protesters occupied strategic locations around the installations.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the affected oil companies regarding the impact of the protest on operations.
Security agencies were reportedly monitoring the situation, while community representatives maintained that their primary demand remains the implementation of the ward delineation exercise.
The dispute is part of a longstanding debate over electoral boundaries and political representation within the Warri Federal Constituency.
