…Threatens shutdown of oil operations if INEC  fails 

By Jimitota Onoyume 

Ijala communities – an Itsekiri  area in Warri south local government , Delta state, have threatened to shut down oil operations in the area if the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, fails to create Jala  Ward for the area in the ongoing redelineation exercise in Warri federal Constituency.

At a press conference yesterday in Ifiekporo, one of the communities that make up Ijala , the leadership of Ijala   said it was high time a ward was created for Ijala , stressing that the area which is host to several  oil tank  farms has  the numerical strength for a political Ward. 

Flanked by  other leaders of the area Pa Michael Dominion who read the address  also urged governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state and President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the electoral body to heed  their request.

He said :”This Ijala Axis of Warri Islands has 4 communities and are hosts to oil companies (including Warri Refinery) and have arable lands which are the mainstay of Warri South today. 

“Our demand for the creation of Ijala Ward from the existing Obodo/Omadino Ward is a legitimate cause because we have the numerical and economic strength to become a stand-alone Ward.

For clarity, Obodo and Omadino are two autonomous communities in Warri South

“When the Supreme Court-ordered ward delineation commenced in 2023, INEC officials visited our communities to carry out their fieldwork. 

“But to our greatest disappointment, in all the proposals INEC shared with ethnic stakeholders, not one single ward was proposed for us. Frustratingly, we are still pegged back in Obodo/Omadino ward. 

“Is INEC telling us that we have not increased numerically since 1991? Is INEC telling us that only those with dollars and violent tendencies are fit to be allotted wards? 

“It is instructive to remind the federal government that oil facilities such as oil fields and the Warri Refinery are domiciled in our land. We can assure Nigerians that we will not shy away from shutting down critical oil fields and depots if INEC fails to allot for us the much deserved Ijala ward. These four communities in this area have the most legitimate entitlement to new wards, not streets, not waterfront, not markets in Warri mainland. “

Those who also spoke along similar lines to  reinforce the demand on the electoral body were Pa William Ejegi,  Mrs Abigail Tonukarin, Francis Eyifoma and Mr Tuoyo Ebigbeyi , Public relations officer of Ifiekporo community.