WARRI – Hundreds of protesters from the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State have shut down multiple oil flow stations, demanding the immediate implementation of a court-ordered ward delineation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The action, which began on Monday, has disrupted operations at major facilities including the Abiteye, Otunana, Jones Creek, Egwa I and II, Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, and Ogbanabou flow stations. Collectively, these installations account for an estimated 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day, raising significant concerns over potential revenue losses for the federation.
The protest follows a recent vow by Ijaw and Urhobo communities to halt oil production if INEC failed to act on the final delineation report. The Supreme Court originally ordered a fresh delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency in 2022. INEC conducted the exercise and presented its final report to stakeholders in Asaba on 20 May 2026.
‘No implementation, no production’
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Chief (Mrs.) Maria Ebike accused INEC of deliberately stalling the implementation process despite having completed all consultations.
“We have waited patiently for the authorities to do the right thing. If our voices continue to be ignored, we have no option but to demand justice through peaceful protests. No implementation of the ward delineation, no oil production,” she stated.
Protesters, including women, youths, and community leaders, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report”, “Court Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation”, and “No Implementation, No Production.”
‘We will not be marginalised’
Dr. Paul Boyitie, a former secretary and opinion leader from the Benikrukru Community, noted that the Supreme Court had ordered the exercise in 2022, which INEC eventually carried out.
“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 is: why is INEC refusing to implement its own report?” he asked.
He added: “We are the majority in these areas and we will not allow any minority group to determine our political future. We have the capacity to shut down operations in our territories because we cannot continue to contribute resources to the federation and still be politically marginalised.”
Women speak: ‘Nobody should tamper with our rights’
At the Otunana Flow Station, Edith Odafe of Kokodiagbene Community insisted the protest would continue until the delineation report is implemented.
Mrs. Gladys Kele, another community representative, said: “We don’t want trouble. We don’t want any fight. We are gathered here because the wards allocated to us should be implemented. Nobody should take what belongs to us, and nobody should tamper with our rights. We will remain here until what belongs to us is given to us.”
Calls for urgent intervention
While community leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue, they stressed that implementation of the ward delineation exercise remains their primary demand.
As of the time of filing this report, affected oil companies had yet to issue formal statements, and security agencies were reportedly monitoring the situation. Industry stakeholders have raised alarms over the potential impact on crude oil output and government revenue should the impasse persist.
The protest marks the latest escalation in a long-running dispute over political representation and electoral boundaries in the Warri Federal Constituency, a matter that continues to generate significant interest across Delta State.
