Warri Crisis: Ijaw, Urhobo leaders ask protesters to leave oil facilities after Tinubu’s intervention

Leaders of the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Delta State’s Warri Federal Constituency have called on protesters occupying oil and gas facilities and blocking waterways in the area to withdraw following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu immediately.

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The leaders made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday, following a series of high-level meetings involving the federal government, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and former Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

The protests, which began on Monday, were triggered by grievances arising from the implementation of the fresh ward and polling unit delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement.

The demonstrations spread across several communities in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local government areas, leading to the occupation of some oil and gas facilities and the blockade of parts of the Escravos River.

Prominent Ijaw and Urhobo leaders, including Godspower Gbenekama, Victor Okumagba, Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor and Westham Adehor, signed the statement.

According to the leaders, the growing tensions prompted Governor Oborevwori to convene an emergency meeting with Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo representatives in Asaba on 8 June.

They said the continued protests subsequently attracted the intervention of Mr Ekpemupolo, who met leaders of the three ethnic groups in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, on 9 June and called for restraint to protect oil and gas infrastructure.

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The leaders also said that President Tinubu convened a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday with representatives of the three ethnic nationalities.

“At the meeting, Mr President called for compromise, understanding and the need for the Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos to live together as Nigerians,” the statement said.

The leaders said the president appealed for unity among the groups and directed stakeholders to work out a power-sharing arrangement to ensure an equitable distribution of political positions across the three local government areas that make up the constituency.

They said Mr Tinubu also appealed to community leaders to prevail on protesters to end the demonstrations.

“In the light of the foregoing, we, the leaders of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities of Warri Federal Constituency, after consultation with other stakeholders, hereby call on protesting women, youths and other stakeholders in Ijaw and Urhobo communities to demobilise and vacate all oil and gas facilities occupied in different parts of the constituency and the Escravos River,” the statement said.

The leaders described the decision as a mark of respect for the president and an opportunity for stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues arising from the implementation of the delineation exercise.

They thanked Mr Tinubu, Mr Oborevwori and Mr Ekpemupolo for their timely interventions, which helped de-escalate tensions in the oil-rich area.

Background on the tension

PREMIUM TIMES recently reported escalating tensions in the Warri Federal Constituency following disagreements over INEC’s fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units ordered by the Supreme Court.

The dispute has heightened ethnic tensions among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities, with protesters occupying several oil facilities and threatening crude oil production in parts of the Niger Delta.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported that Mr Ekpemupolo had appealed for calm and urged aggrieved groups to avoid actions capable of disrupting critical national assets, while the Presidency denied allegations that President Tinubu interfered in INEC’s delineation exercise.

Thursday’s appeal by Ijaw and Urhobo leaders indicates that stakeholders may be moving towards a negotiated settlement after days of protests that drew national attention and raised concerns about the security of strategic oil and gas infrastructure.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE BELOW:

URGENT PRESS STATEMENT BY INDIGENOUS IJAW AND URHOBO PEOPLE OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY OF DELTA STATE

June 11, 2026

IJAW AND URHOBO LEADERS CALL ON PROTESTERS IN THE WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY TO DEMOBILISE FROM OIL AND GAS FACILITIES AND RIVER BLOCKADE

The Ijaw and Urhobo Leaders of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State note that aggrieved Women, Youths and other stakeholders in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State has been protesting at oil facilities and other parts of the constituency since Monday, the 8^th of June, 2026 till now.
We also note that, these protests lead to growing tensions in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.
The rising tensions led to the intervention of the Governor of Delta State, who called for an emergency meeting with leaders of Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State at the Government House, Asaba on the 8th of June, 2026.
We note that, the protests continued and spread to more parts of the Warri Federal Constituency and additional oil and gas facilities occupied by the protesters.
The spread of the protest and tension led to the intervention of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) who met with Community Leaders across Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo Communities in the Warri Federal Constituency on the 9^th of June, 2026 at Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom and called for calm to give INEC the opportunity to address their grievances and protect critical national oil and gas assets.
We also note that, the protests caught the attention of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR who called for an emergency meeting on Thursday, the 11^th of June, 2026 with representatives of Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the meeting, Mr. President called for compromise, understanding and the need for the Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos to live together as Nigerians. Drawing inspiration from the national anthem, Mr. President appealed to the ethnic leaders to live as one, though tongue and tribe may differ, but in brotherhood we stand.
President Tinubu then directed the leaders of the different ethnic groups to agree on power sharing formular to ensure fair and just sharing of positions among the different ethnic groups in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Area constituting the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.
President further appealed to the ethnic nationality leaders to prevail on the protesters to discontinue their protest.
In the light of the foregoing, we the Leaders of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State after consultation with other stakeholders hereby call on protesting women, youths and other stakeholders in Ijaw and Urhobo Communities of Delta State to demobilise and vacant all oil and gas facilities occupied in the different parts of the Warri Federal Constituency and the escravos river.
This is a demonstration of respect to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to give stakeholders the opportunity to finalise the resolution of a few outstanding issues arising from the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation and allow for full and final implementation of the fresh delineation by INEC.
We express our profound appreciation to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) for their timely intervention which led to the cessation of the protest.