Warri on Fire : Women, Youths Shut Down Oil Flow Stations Over Ward Delineation Dispute

By Our Correspondent

WARRI, DELTA STATE — Fresh concerns have emerged over Nigeria's oil production and revenue outlook as hundreds of women and youths from several communities in Warri Federal Constituency on Monday shut down multiple oil flow stations in protest against the non-implementation of the ward delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The protesters, drawn from Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Egbema, Diebiri and other riverine communities, blocked access to key oil installations, insisting that crude oil production would remain suspended in their areas until the electoral boundaries approved by INEC are fully implemented ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as "INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report," "Court-Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation," and "No Implementation, No Production," the demonstrators vowed to sustain the action until their demands are met.

Among the facilities affected were Abiteye Flow Station in Kenyagbene, Otunana Flow Station, Jones Creek Flow Station, Egwa I and II Flow Stations, Odidi 1 and 2 Flow Stations, Batan Flow Station, Ogbanabou Flow Station, Olero Creek Flow Station, Dibi Field Flow Station and Opuekeba Flow Station.

Community sources estimated that the affected facilities collectively account for more than 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day, raising fears of a significant impact on national oil output and government revenue if the shutdown persists.

The protest comes days after Ijaw and Urhobo groups warned that oil production across parts of Warri Federal Constituency could be halted if INEC failed to implement the final ward delineation report arising from a Supreme Court judgment.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chief Mrs. Maria Ebike accused INEC of delaying the implementation of a process that had already been concluded after extensive consultations with stakeholders.

According to her, the ward delineation exercise was intended to guarantee fairness, equity and adequate political representation for communities within Warri Federal Constituency.

"We have exercised patience and allowed due process to take its course. The delineation exercise has been completed and the report presented. What remains is implementation. If our voices continue to be ignored, we will continue this peaceful protest. No implementation of ward delineation, no oil production," she declared.

Also addressing protesters, Mrs. Fanty Goodness Owotorufa said the communities remained committed to peace but insisted that the Supreme Court judgment and INEC's delineation report must be respected.

"INEC has completed the exercise and announced the outcome. What we are demanding is implementation. We are law-abiding people and we want the commission to obey the judgment and implement its own report," she said.

An opinion leader from Benikrukru Community and immediate past secretary of the community, Dr. Paul Boyitie, alleged that INEC was unnecessarily delaying the execution of a process it had already concluded.

He recalled that the Supreme Court, in 2022, ordered a fresh delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, which was eventually carried out by INEC before the final report was presented to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20, 2026.

"The report clearly identified the wards occupied by the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities. Stakeholders were invited, objections were entertained, and the final report was presented.

"The question now is why INEC is refusing to implement its own report. We want to participate fully in the 2027 elections under the approved delineation structure. Until the report is implemented, we are not leaving," Boyitie stated.

At Otunana Flow Station, protesters maintained a similar position, insisting that oil production activities would remain halted until concrete steps are taken to enforce the delineation framework.

Speaking for Kokodiagbene Community, Edith Odafe described the protest as a peaceful campaign aimed solely at securing implementation of the approved wards and state constituencies.

"The exercise was conducted peacefully and the outcome was presented to stakeholders. What we are asking for is implementation. We have shut down this facility and we will remain here until our demands are addressed," she said.

Another community representative, Mrs. Gladys Kele, stressed that residents were simply demanding their legitimate political rights.

"We do not want conflict. We are only asking that what has been approved for our communities be implemented. Nobody should take away our rights or deny us proper representation," she said.

The demonstrators maintained that the shutdown remained peaceful but warned that the action would continue until authorities provide clear assurances on the implementation of the delineation report.

Industry observers have expressed concern over the potential economic consequences of a prolonged disruption, warning that any sustained reduction in oil production could further strain government revenues at a time of mounting economic challenges.

The development has intensified calls for urgent intervention by the Federal Government, INEC and other relevant stakeholders to prevent the situation from escalating.

As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the affected oil companies had issued official statements on the shutdown, while security agencies were said to be closely monitoring developments across the affected communities.

Community leaders, however, reiterated their willingness to engage in dialogue, insisting that the implementation of the ward delineation report remains their central and non-negotiable demand.

The protest represents the latest chapter in the long-running dispute over political representation and electoral boundaries in Warri Federal Constituency, a controversy that continues to shape political discourse and inter-community relations across Delta State.

Hassan Abubakar-Editor.