…Tantita’s Tompolo: We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse
By Chike Ofili
The Presidency on Tuesday dismissed allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the Federal Government was behind the delay in the execution of the Supreme Court’s decision on the highly touchy ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in charge of the process, not the president.
It also said that INEC is an autonomous institution operating strictly within its constitutional mandate.
The clarification comes amid escalating tensions surrounding the implementation of the Supreme Court-backed delineation exercise, which has triggered protests, political disagreements and the occupation of oil and gas facilities in parts of Warri Federal Constituency by aggrieved women and youths.
Responding to enquiries on the controversy, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reportedly told Premium Times, a leading Nigerian online medium, that neither President Tinubu nor the Presidency had issued any directive to INEC concerning the exercise.
“The Presidency has not issued any directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission regarding the implementation of the delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency,” Onanuga said.
He emphasised that INEC remains an independent constitutional body empowered to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution, electoral laws, and judicial pronouncements.
According to him, the Federal Government’s position has remained consistent that lawful court judgments must be respected and implemented through established constitutional and institutional processes.
“The position of the Federal Government is clear and consistent: lawful court judgements should be respected and implemented through the appropriate constitutional and institutional processes,” he said.
Onanuga urged parties dissatisfied with any aspect of the delineation exercise to pursue lawful channels and engage the appropriate authorities rather than resorting to actions capable of undermining public order.
He further noted that the Presidency was unaware of any official decision by INEC that altered the commission’s constitutional responsibilities, stressing that all operational issues relating to the delineation exercise should be addressed directly to the electoral body.
“The Federal Government has no interest in interfering with the independence of INEC or undermining the rule of law,” he added.
The presidential spokesman reiterated that President Tinubu remains committed to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that public agencies discharge their responsibilities without undue political interference.
The Presidency also expressed concern over reports that protests linked to the ward delineation dispute had affected oil and gas facilities in the Warri area.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful protest, Onanuga cautioned against actions capable of disrupting economic activities, threatening public safety, or damaging critical national infrastructure.
“While citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful expression and lawful protest, actions capable of disrupting economic activities, threatening public safety, or damaging national infrastructure are unacceptable,” he said.
He stressed that strategic national assets must be protected at all times and called on stakeholders to embrace dialogue and lawful engagement in resolving their grievances.
“Critical national assets must not be endangered under any circumstances,” he warned.
Meanwhile, prominent Niger Delta leader and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has appealed for restraint following the occupation of oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri River areas by protesters opposed to aspects of the delineation exercise.
Tompolo, whose company is responsible for protecting critical oil infrastructure across large swathes of the Niger Delta, said while citizens have a right to express their grievances, the situation must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
“Many well-meaning Nigerians have been calling for a peaceful resolution of the impasse. I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution,” he said.
The Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation warned that the political dispute arising from what he described as INEC’s failure to complete the ward delineation exercise should not be hijacked by elements seeking to foment unrest.
“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and the mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort,” he stated.
Calling for an urgent meeting of community leaders, Tompolo urged residents and protesters across the constituency to remain peaceful while stakeholders seek a lasting solution.
“I am calling for calm no matter the situation. I am also calling for a meeting of community leaders to meet immediately to enable us to devise a way forward. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse,” he said.
He also urged INEC to take the necessary steps to resolve the lingering controversy and restore peace in Warri and its environs.
“INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore peace in Warri and environs,” he added.
Tompolo further appealed to all ethnic groups in the area, including Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities, to exercise restraint and allow due process to prevail.
“We call on the people of Warri, whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo, to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing,” he stated.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to peace, dialogue and the rule of law, Onanuga expressed confidence that Nigeria’s democratic institutions would resolve the issues surrounding the Warri delineation exercise through due process.
“The Federal Government remains committed to peace, dialogue, the rule of law and the preservation of public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” he stated.