A Niger Delta rights activist and environmental advocate, Chief Sheriff Mulade, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately implement the final report on the Supreme Court-ordered ward and polling unit delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency, warning that further delays could spark renewed unrest in the area.
Mulade, who is the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the Warri Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, made the appeal in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
He expressed concern over rising tensions among ethnic groups in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas following the completion of the delineation exercise ordered by the Supreme Court.
The activist warned that any delay or perceived unfairness in the implementation process could reignite long-standing grievances and trigger a fresh crisis similar to the violent conflicts that affected the area between 1997 and 2003.
According to him, the situation requires urgent attention because of the strategic importance of the constituency to the nation's oil and gas industry.
“Any delay or perceived injustice in the implementation of the delineation report could reopen old wounds and plunge the area into an avoidable crisis,” he said.
Mulade cautioned that a breakdown of peace in the constituency could disrupt oil production activities in the Niger Delta and pose wider economic consequences for the country.
He stressed that the multi-ethnic nature of the Warri Federal Constituency, comprising mainly the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups, makes it imperative for all stakeholders to prioritise peace and dialogue above political interests.
The Niger Delta advocate also commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for what he described as proactive measures taken by the state government to prevent tensions from escalating among the affected communities.
He called on the governor to deepen collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to sustain peace and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Mulade further urged INEC to implement the final delineation report strictly in line with the Supreme Court judgment, insisting that transparency and fairness were essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
He warned that failure to act decisively could undermine democratic stability and reverse years of peace-building efforts across the Niger Delta.
The call comes amid growing interest among stakeholders in the implementation of the delineation exercise, which many observers consider crucial to addressing long-standing electoral and communal disputes within the Warri Federal Constituency.
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