Ijaw and Urhobo Leaders’ Stakeholders’ Meeting with President Tinubu on Warri Federal Constituency

Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo leaders from the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State met with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 11, 2026, to discuss the recent delineation of their electoral boundaries. The meeting was called after a Presidential Directive halted the implementation of a Supreme Court-ordered report by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The INEC report, released on May 20, 2026, established twenty registration areas across Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West Local Government Areas. It also proposed additional state constituencies for Warri North and Warri South West, and recommended the creation of a new Warri Federal Constituency 11 to encompass these areas, while Warri South would form Federal Constituency 1. INEC had initially promised to direct political parties to conduct primaries for these new state constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This delineation was initially welcomed by most stakeholders. However, the subsequent Presidential Directive to halt its implementation sparked agitation among the Ijaw and Urhobo communities. Their concerns led to peaceful protests, including occupations of oil and gas flow stations and blockades of the Escravos River, actions that drew the President's attention.

During the emergency meeting at the Presidential Villa, attended by key government officials including the Governor of Delta State and heads of security agencies, President Tinubu, drawing inspiration from the national anthem, called on the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo people of Warri to view themselves as brothers and sisters. The leaders present reiterated their call for the immediate implementation of the INEC's May 20 delineation report.

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Drawing inspiration from the National Anthem called on the Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos of Warri to see themselves as brothers and sisters.