Leaders of the warring parties in respect of the constituency delineation in Warri federal constituency have agreed to end the ongoing protests and occupation of oil facilities following an intervention by President Bola Tinubu.
A statement jointly signed by leaders of the Ijaw and Urhobo in Warri, and endorsed on their behalf by the trio of High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Olorogun Victor Okumagba and Chief Westham Adehor, confirmed that the three ethnic groups in Warri met with President Tinubu on Thursday and resolved to end the crisis.
The statement urged the protesters in Warri to demobilise and embrace peace.
It read in part: “The Ijaw and Urhobo leaders of Warri federal constituency of Delta State note that aggrieved women, youths and other stakeholders in Warri federal constituency have been protesting at oil facilities and other parts of the constituency since Monday till now.
“We also note that these protests lead to growing tensions in the federal constituency.
“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 at the Government House, Asaba, on June 8.”
The statement indicated that after a meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja on Thursday, the leaders of the ethnic nationalities agreed to call on the protesters to cease their protests.
The statement further read: “The spread of the protest and tension led to the intervention of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, who met with community leaders across Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities in the Warri federal constituency on June 9, at Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, and called for calm to allow the Indepenent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address their grievances and protect critical national oil and gas assets.
“We also note that the protests caught the attention of President Tinubu, who called for an emergency meeting on Thursday 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.
“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 the state.
“Mr. 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, after consultation with other stakeholders, hereby call on protesting women, youths and other stakeholders in Ijaw and Urhobo Communities of the state to demobilise and vacate all oil and gas facilities occupied in the different parts of the Warri federal constituency and the Escravos River. “
“We express our appreciation to President Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo for their intervention, which led to the cessation of the protest.”
