Ijaw, Itsekiri Reach Deal on Warri Federal Constituency II After Tinubu's Intervention

Following President Bola Tinubu's intervention, representatives from Nigeria's Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups have reached an agreement on a power-sharing arrangement for the proposed Warri Federal Constituency II. The deal aims to resolve a long-standing dispute over electoral ward delineation in the Delta State region.

The agreement was finalized on Friday in Abuja after a meeting convened at the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. This followed an earlier engagement between President Tinubu and representatives from the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups at the Presidential Villa. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also attended the June 11 meeting.

Under the rotational arrangement, the House of Representatives seat for the new constituency will alternate between the Ijaw and Itsekiri nationalities. The Ijaw will hold the seat for two consecutive terms before it passes to the Itsekiri for a similar period. This resolution is expected to de-escalate tensions that arose from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) proposed ward delineation exercise.

President Tinubu had directed that two representatives from each of the three ethnic nationalities meet under federal government supervision to solidify the gains of the initial meeting and establish a mutually acceptable framework for political representation. The agreement was formally signed by former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro, and Dr. Eric Omare for the Ijaw, and Sir A.S. Mene and Chief Robinson Ariyo for the Itsekiri. NSA Ribadu signed on behalf of the federal government, with Olorogun Victor Okumagba and Chief Westham Adehor acting as witnesses.

“

Under the agreement, the House of Representatives’ seat will rotate between the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups, with the Ijaw nationality taking the first turn for two consecutive terms before the seat shifts to the Itsekiri for a similar tenure.