(DDM) – A young activist from Warri Federal Constituency has raised alarm over rising ethnic tensions, warning that the area is on the brink of crisis if urgent interventions are not made.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the appeal came from George Tamaragbabrapa Mulade-Sheriff, an Ijaw youth leader and student of Admiralty University, who cautioned that longstanding grievances between the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo groups could spiral into violence.
Mulade-Sheriff, speaking with deep concern, said the recent controversies surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ward delineation exercise have intensified divisions in the multi-ethnic constituency. He noted that unfair boundary adjustments have worsened feelings of exclusion among ethnic communities in Warri.
He explained that the ward delineation dispute is not an isolated issue but one linked to decades of mistrust, competition over political power, and uneven distribution of resources in Delta State.
According to him, unless decisive actions are taken by both government and community leaders, the situation could degenerate into unrest with humanitarian and security implications.
The student activist urged government at all levels, alongside traditional rulers and opinion leaders, to step into the matter before it spirals out of control.
He emphasized that dialogue, equity, and justice must be prioritized if Warri Federal Constituency is to avoid another round of ethnic crisis.
Mulade-Sheriff insisted that lasting peace can only come through a combination of fair power-sharing, genuine reconciliation, and effective security measures to build trust among the different groups. He described Warri as too important to Nigeria’s economy to be left at the mercy of political manipulation and ethnic rivalries.
Warri, regarded as one of Nigeria’s oil-rich hubs, has a long history of ethnic conflicts that have claimed lives and disrupted economic activities.
Clashes between the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo communities date back several decades, often triggered by disputes over land, oil resources, and political representation.
Observers note that the latest tensions reflect both historical grievances and contemporary issues.
Many stakeholders argue that INEC’s boundary decisions appear to favor some groups at the expense of others, creating suspicions of political marginalization.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Warri was engulfed in violent clashes that displaced families and threatened oil production in the Niger Delta. The memory of those years still lingers, and many residents fear that a repeat could occur if preventive steps are not taken.
Mulade-Sheriff’s warning comes at a critical time as the 2027 general elections draw closer, with political stakes high across Delta State.
Ethnic groups are already jostling for control of local positions, and analysts believe that the outcome of the ward delineation battle could determine the balance of power in Warri.
He concluded his appeal by calling on the federal government, INEC, the Delta State government, and peace-building organizations to urgently mediate and implement fair measures that will prevent another descent into chaos.
For now, the situation remains tense, with many watching closely to see whether political leaders will rise above selfish interests to secure lasting peace in Warri.
The post Warri Youth warns of Looming Crisis over INEC Ward Delineation
DDM News
first appeared on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
