By Chike Ofili
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Monday stepped into the growing tensions surrounding the ward and unit delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, convening a high-level peace meeting with leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities at Government House, Asaba.
The meeting, attended by ethnic leaders, security chiefs and senior government officials, focused on sustaining peace and encouraging dialogue amid concerns generated by the delineation process.
Addressing participants, Governor Oborevwori emphasised the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among the people of Warri, stressing that peace and security remain key priorities of his administration’s MORE Agenda.
“We want peace in Warri Federal Constituency. The stakeholders have assured me that they will abide by the peace accord. Under the MORE Agenda, we have promised Deltans enhanced peace and security, and we do not need any crisis in our dear state,” the governor said.
Describing Warri as one family, Oborevwori noted that every disagreement could be resolved through dialogue. He explained that the meeting was convened to strengthen cooperation among the ethnic groups and preserve the harmony already existing in the state.
“We are ready to work together and sustain the peace we are enjoying. We will continue to collaborate with security agencies and all ethnic nationalities to ensure lasting peace in the federal constituency and across Delta State,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Chief Godspower Gbenekama commended the governor for his timely intervention and reaffirmed the commitment of the Ijaw people to peaceful coexistence.
According to him, the governor had directed all parties to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order, assuring that no Ijaw person would attack any Itsekiri community or individual.
Representing the Urhobo ethnic nationality, Olorogun Victor Okumagba acknowledged that the delineation issue had generated anxiety in recent months and posed a threat to peace in the area.
He said the governor’s intervention had brought the three ethnic nationalities together, leading to an agreement that all parties should abandon hostility and embrace peace in the interest of residents of Warri Federal Constituency.
On behalf of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, Chief Ayirimi Emami said the group presented its position on the ward delineation matter but accepted the governor’s appeal for restraint.
He noted that all parties agreed to maintain peace and pledged to relay the outcome of the meeting to their respective communities.
The meeting ended with a collective commitment by leaders of the three ethnic nationalities to uphold peace and continue dialogue as the preferred means of resolving differences.
Political observers described the intervention as a major confidence-building effort capable of reducing tensions and strengthening inter-ethnic harmony in the oil-rich Warri Federal Constituency.