The Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) has warned that elections will not hold in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State in 2027 unless the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) completes the ongoing delineation exercise and conducts fresh voter registration for Ijaws and Urhobos in the area.
National President of IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, issued the warning during an interview with Newsmen in Warri.
“INEC should know there will be no election in Warri Federal Constituency if it fails to complete the delineation exercise and conduct fresh registration of the Ijaws and Urhobos in the constituency,” Ozobo declared.
He urged the Ijaw and Urhobo communities to intensify pressure on INEC to conclude the delineation process before the next general election.
“Despite provocations, I will continue to appeal to the Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri to remain mature and calm,” he said.
Ozobo accused some elements within the Itsekiri ethnic group of attempting to disrupt the delineation exercise to manipulate the process in their favour.
“The Itsekiris want to stop the delineation exercise through threats of war and then push for roundtable discussions to overturn the process. The Itsekiri are being clever by half. Let us be smart and resist any temptation of crisis,” Ozobo stated.
He warned that any attempt to reignite conflict in Warri, reminiscent of the 1997 crisis, would have far-reaching consequences.
“If by chance the Itsekiri instigate another Warri crisis, they will lose far more than they did during the 1997 Warri crisis. If they are wise, they should stop inciting their youths towards another round of violence,” he added.
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