Delta 2027: Warri Leaders Back Ereyitomi, Guwor; Dismisses Attacks, Urge Public to Ignore

By Prevail Idawene, Warri

Ahead of 2027 general elections, the Warri South-West Unity and Development Forum (WSWUDF) has thrown its weight behind Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, member representing the constituency in the house of representatives and Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. The group also rejected recent criticisms on the two lawmakers, saying it was “misleading and attacks were far from constituency realities.”

The endorsement came during a well-attended press briefing in Warri South-West Local Government Area, where the Forum’s Coordinator, Pastor Arex Akemotubo, delivered a detailed statement on behalf of stakeholders drawn from all ten wards of the LGA. Prominent attendees included Amb. Fred Igere, Chief Hon. Rose Tull, Hon. Omare Gabari, and Hon. Austin Tonfawei.

WSWUDF said its position reflects “the collective voice of responsible leadership” across Itsekiri and Ijaw communities in Warri South-West, dismissing contrary claims by the Itsekiri Grassroots Coalition as “unfounded, misleading, and disconnected from the realities on ground.”

The Forum specifically defended Ereyitomi, Member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, describing him as a “critical asset” and “silent achiever.” It cited his ranking status in the National Assembly, saying it places him “within a strategic circle of influence where real legislative decisions are shaped,” translating to “access, project facilitation, and sustained engagement with federal institutions.”

“Replacing such experience with uncertainty would be a direct setback to the constituency’s progress,” the statement read.

On Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, the Forum said his emergence reflects “competence, trust, and proven capacity.” It argued that his national leadership role “strengthens the voice of Warri South-West, enhances its visibility, and ensures direct access to legislative coordination at the highest level.”

“The Speaker has consistently demonstrated the capacity to carry both Ijaw and Itsekiri interests along in a balanced and inclusive manner. Such leadership must be preserved, not undermined,” Akemotubo stated.

The WSWUDF strongly condemned what it termed attempts to introduce ethnic sentiment into political discourse, calling the trend “dangerous and counterproductive.”

“Ethnic politics divides communities, weakens governance, and distracts from the real issues of performance and development. Warri’s strength lies in unity, and that unity must not be compromised for political convenience,” the Forum said.

It further alleged that “those amplifying these negative narratives are not grounded in the realities of the people,” describing them as “largely present on social media, operating as content creators rather than active participants in community development and governance.”

“Warri South-West and Warri Federal Constituency cannot be misled by noise,” the statement added.

The Forum declared “unequivocal” support for the continuous representation of both Ereyitomi and Guwor, stating that local government leadership has “consistently shown confidence and satisfaction” with their performance.

“The direction is clear: protect progress, sustain influence, and stand firmly with tested leadership,” Akemotubo concluded.

The briefing marks the latest realignment of grassroots blocs in Warri South-West ahead of future political contests, with WSWUDF urging constituents to focus on “continuity, stability, and sustained development.”

Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (JP) is a ranking member of the House of Representatives for Warri Federal Constituency. Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor serves as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and currently chairs the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria. Warri South-West LGA comprises ten wards with mixed Itsekiri and Ijaw populations.

Read the full story:

FACTS OVER NOISE: A FIRM REJECTION OF MISLEADING CLAIMS AGAINST CHIEF HON. THOMAS EREYITOMI, MEMBER REPRESENTING WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, AND RT. HON. EMOMOTIMI D. GUWOR, SPEAKER, DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY;

A DEFENCE OF PROVEN LEADERSHIP IN WARRI SOUTH-WEST AND WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
A PRESS BRIEFING BY THE WARRI SOUTH-WEST UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM

The Warri South-West Unity and Development Forum (WSWUDF) expands this briefing to further clarify its position and to directly reaffirm confidence in the leadership currently serving Warri South-West State Constituency and Warri Federal Constituency.

It is important to clearly state that the Warri South-West Unity and Development Forum is made up of highly experienced and credible leaders drawn from all ten wards in the Local Government Area. These individuals are core stakeholders with deep-rooted understanding of the political, social, and developmental realities of Warri South-West, comprising both Itsekiri and Ijaw communities. Our position, therefore, reflects the collective voice of responsible leadership across the LGA, not assumptions or distant commentary.

We have carefully reviewed the claims made by the Itsekiri Grassroots Coalition, particularly their assertion that Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (JP) has failed and their call to stop the continued leadership of Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor. We state clearly that these claims are unfounded, misleading, and disconnected from the realities on ground.

ON WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY

The Member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (JP), remains a critical asset to the constituency. He is widely known as a silent achiever and a detribalized Nigerian. His position as a ranking member in the House of Representatives places him within a strategic circle of influence where real legislative decisions are shaped.

This influence translates into access, project facilitation, and sustained engagement with federal institutions. His role ensures that Warri Federal Constituency is not sidelined but remains visible and relevant at the national level.

Replacing such experience with uncertainty would be a direct setback to the constituency’s progress.

ON WARRI SOUTH-WEST STATE CONSTITUENCY

Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, represents a level of leadership that brings both local and national relevance.

His emergence as Speaker and subsequent elevation to a national leadership role is a reflection of competence, trust, and proven capacity. This position strengthens the voice of Warri South-West, enhances its visibility, and ensures direct access to legislative coordination at the highest level.

The Speaker has consistently demonstrated the capacity to carry both Ijaw and Itsekiri interests along in a balanced and inclusive manner. Such leadership must be preserved, not undermined.

ON THE DANGERS OF ETHNIC POLITICS

WSWUDF once again strongly condemns any attempt to introduce ethnic sentiment into political discourse. This trend is dangerous and counterproductive.

Ethnic politics divides communities, weakens governance, and distracts from the real issues of performance and development. Warri’s strength lies in unity, and that unity must not be compromised for political convenience.

FINAL POSITION AND DECLARATION OF SUPPORT

The Warri South-West Unity and Development Forum (WSWUDF) states, without ambiguity, that those amplifying these negative narratives are not grounded in the realities of the people. They are largely present on social media, operating as content creators rather than active participants in community development and governance.

Warri South-West and Warri Federal Constituency cannot be misled by noise.

It is worthy of note that the leadership of our Local Government has consistently shown confidence and satisfaction with the representation provided by Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (JP) and Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.

We therefore state unequivocally our full support for Chief Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (JP), Member representing Warri Federal Constituency, and Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

We strongly support their continuous representation and leadership, as they embody experience, influence, and proven capacity.

The direction is clear, protects progress, sustains influence, and stands firmly with tested leadership.

Signed:
Pst. Arex Akemotubo,
Coordinator,
Warri South-West Unity and Development Forum (WSWUDF).