Mulade Urges INEC to Implement Warri Delineation Report, Commends Oborevwori’s Peace Efforts

As debates over the delineation exercise continue, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, with many viewing the implementation of the report as a crucial step toward resolving longstanding electoral and communal disputes in Warri Federal Constituency.

Prominent Niger Delta rights activist and environmental advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently implement its final report on the Supreme Court-ordered ward and polling unit delineation in Warri Federal Constituency, warning that further delays could spark fresh tensions in the area.

Mulade, a respected peace and development advocate from Delta State and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Warri Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, made the appeal in a personally signed statement made available to journalists.

He also commended the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the proactive measures taken by his administration to avert a looming crisis among the major ethnic groups in Warri Federal Constituency, particularly the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo communities.

According to Mulade, the governor’s commitment to peace and dialogue has played a critical role in maintaining stability amid growing concerns surrounding the implementation of the delineation exercise.

He urged INEC to act swiftly and decisively in implementing the final delineation report in line with the Supreme Court’s directive, stressing that any delay could heighten existing tensions and undermine years of peace-building efforts in the region.

Recalling the devastating Warri crises that occurred between 1997 and 2003, Mulade warned against actions or inactions that could reopen old wounds and plunge the area into another cycle of violence.

He noted that the delineation exercise covering Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas has generated heightened interest and concern among various ethnic groups in the constituency, making transparency and fairness imperative.

“The situation must be handled with utmost caution and urgency. Any delay or perceived injustice in the implementation of the delineation report could reopen old wounds and push the area into an avoidable crisis,” he said.

Mulade emphasized that Warri Federal Constituency remains one of the most politically and economically strategic areas in Nigeria due to its ethnic diversity and its significant contribution to the nation’s oil and gas industry.

He cautioned that any breakdown of law and order in the area could disrupt oil production activities and negatively impact Nigeria’s economic stability.

The Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom further appealed to Governor Oborevwori to deepen collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to sustain peace and prevent any escalation of tensions across the affected local government areas.

He also urged INEC to ensure that the implementation process remains transparent, inclusive, and strictly guided by the Supreme Court’s ruling, insisting that fairness is essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral system.

Mulade warned that failure to act decisively could threaten democratic stability in the region and reverse the fragile gains recorded through years of dialogue and reconciliation efforts in the Niger Delta.