Warri Delineation: Gbenekama urges INEC to Complete Exercise Before 2027 Elections

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Following the delay of the final implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, Warri federal constituency ward delineation report, Chief Dr. Godspower Gbenekama, the Fiyewei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West council area of Delta State, has called on the electoral body to conclude its work while cautioning that such delay is not in the interest of peace.

Fiyewei made the call during a media chat with members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, IPF, at his private residence in Effurun, on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Gbenekama, who noted that there is no crisis in Warri, challenged the Federal Government to do the needful for INEC to complete its work as delay is creating rooms for anarchy.

“These noises that the Federal Government is listening to are not in the favour of peace,” Gbenekama said in reference to the opposition from the Itsekiri against the INEC report of the concluded ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency.

“Niger Delta kings especially the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, has been going round the region with other kings to sustain the peace. Those that can sustain peace, if not properly handled, can bring about violence,” the Fiyewei cautioned over the continued delay of implementation of INEC’s report.

“So, what the Itsekiri elements are saying should not be taken seriously. It is very clear that if you are enjoying something with trickery, and when the truth comes out, you are bound to fight because food has been taken from your table.

“The Itsekiri are a sinking boat that is grappling for anything to float. We, Ijaw people of Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Egbema, Diebiri, Isaba, are not taking them seriously because we are not ready to fight. It is peace we want and we will continue to maintain peace.

“The government should do what is necessary so that INEC can conclude their work. The delay of INEC work is not in the interest of peace,” he cautioned.

The Fiyewei further sued for peace in the region but warned those that are tinkering with the idea to foment trouble to desist henceforth.

“We are outstretching our hands of fellowship to the Itsekiri people, let’s them leave us in peace. We have information that some elements are thinking of attacking pipelines to discredit Tompolo. Let it be said that nobody at this time can discredit Tompolo and Tantita. Many of the Ijaw and Itsekiri would have died if not for Tantita,” he noted.