A political pressure group, the Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought (ISOPLOT), has called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Office of the National Security Adviser to intervene immediately in the ongoing ward delineation crisis in Warri metropolis, to avert unrest in the region.
Addressing journalists in Asaba, the Delta State capital, ISOPLOT Chairman, Comrade Daniel Omoraro, expressed deep concern over what he described as a calculated attempt by political actors to tilt the ethnic balance in Warri in favour of one group, thereby threatening the peace and long-standing cooperation among the region’s major ethnic blocs—the Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Isoko.
“As a Pan-Isoko political group, we are alarmed by the deliberate efforts of certain individuals to undermine the political harmony that has defined relations among the three founding nationalities of Warri metropolis,” Omoraro stated.
“The current ward delineation process appears designed to weaken the political influence of the Itsekiri bloc and strategically elevate another group in preparation for the 2031 governorship race.”
He argued that the ongoing exercise, if unchecked, could upset the political equilibrium that has ensured relative peace in the Delta South Senatorial District, particularly in Warri, which he described as an ethnically diverse area predominantly composed of Itsekiris, Ijaws, and a minority Urhobo population.
“The plot, if allowed to succeed, would diminish the chances of the Isoko ethnic group in future political arrangements, especially as the governorship is expected to rotate back to Delta South in 2031,” Omoraro warned.
He said, “We cannot sit by while political manoeuvrings threaten to isolate any group or silence their voice in decisions affecting our collective future.”
The group demanded an immediate suspension of the ward delineation exercise and called on President Bola Tinubu, INEC, and national security authorities to intervene and investigate the process to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
“We are drawing the attention of the Nigerian public, the Presidency, INEC, and the National Security Adviser to what is unfolding in Warri. If one group is empowered to dominate or another is sidelined, it will destroy the fragile ethnic balance we’ve preserved over the years,” Omoraro said.
He said such an imbalance could spark ethnic tension and instability, similar to past unrests in the region, stressing that unless urgent action is taken, the political climate in Warri may deteriorate, undermining not only the democratic process but also the stability of the broader Niger Delta region.
