…warns against diversion

By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

The Ijaw Youth Council ,IYC, Worldwide, has warned that further delay by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to implement the Supreme Court ruling on the Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Exercise could threaten peace and electoral credibility.

While calling on INEC to immediately implement its proposal and field report on the Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court, however the group expressed concerns over what they described as “the deliberate attempts by various Itsekiri groups to twist facts and promote misleading narratives regarding the Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation exercise.”

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Spokesman of IYC, Worldwide, Amb. Binebai Princewill, regretted that the delay by INEC in implementing its field report and proposal is what is causing the unnecessary tension currently being witnessed in Warri Federal Constituency

Princewill said:.” For the avoidance of doubt, the issue on ground is simple and straightforward. The Ijaws and Urhobos are calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately implement its proposal and field report on the Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court. We are not interested in the twisted stories, diversionary arguments, or wrong narratives being circulated by various Itsekiri groups concerning the lawful and legitimate demands of the Ijaw and Urhobo people.

“The delay by INEC in implementing its field report and proposal is what is causing the unnecessary tension currently being witnessed in Warri Federal Constituency. The Commission must act fast and demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law. INEC must learn how to swiftly obey court judgments in this country, especially in matters of such national importance.

“The continued delay in implementing the judgment and the recommendations arising from the delineation exercise is already raising serious concerns about the credibility of INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Nigerians expect an electoral body that respects the law and faithfully carries out judicial pronouncements without hesitation or selective implementation.

“While the Itsekiris have every right to speak for themselves, the Ijaws will not allow anyone to distort history or mislead the gullible public with self-developed and non-existing historical narratives that are only known to the Itsekiri people and their cohorts. Warri is jointly owned by the Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities. This is an established fact.

“The Ijaw Youth Council will continue to sue for peace in Warri, the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. However, it is important that we caution certain Itsekiri groups that have recently been advertising their weapons and issuing threats through the slogan, “Things dey, Tools dey.”

“The Ijaws do not have any tools, neither do we have any things, but we are spiritually invincible. Let it be clearly stated that at a time when the Ijaw people are making legal and legitimate demands regarding the Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise, nobody should dare incur the wrath of the Ijaw people.

“The IYC is fully aware of the tactics being employed to divert attention from the real issue. We know that these diversionary methods are intended to shift focus from the implementation of the delineation report. However, the Ijaw and Urhobo people will not fall for such distractions. Our concern remains the implementation of the delineation report and nothing more.

“The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide is calling on all sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation to remain peaceful, law-abiding and focused despite the high level of provocation coming from our neighbours. We must not allow ourselves to be distracted by their tantrums, threats or diversionary tactics.

“Our focus must remain on the bigger goal, which is the immediate implementation of the Warri Federal Constituency delineation report by INEC. We must continue to pursue our demands through lawful and legitimate means while maintaining the peace that has always characterized the Ijaw struggle.

“Finally, we once again call on INEC to act fast. The Commission must immediately implement its field report and proposal on the Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment. Any further delay will only continue to fuel unnecessary tension and raise avoidable questions about the Commission’s commitment to justice, fairness and the rule of law.”