Delineation: Caution Officials Over Divisive Ethnic Comments, IPC Tells Oborevwori

A prominent socio-cultural organisation in Delta State, the Itsekiri Progress Club (IPC), has condemned recent comments by the state’s Commissioner for Works(Rural) and Information, Charles Aniagwu, regarding the controversial Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation.

Aniagwu, speaking on Arise TV, said there were long-standing imbalances in ward arrangements across Warri and other parts of the country. He argued that those who had previously benefited from the situation were resisting current efforts to correct it. He further asserted that Warri was co-owned by the Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo ethnic groups.

His comments have provoked criticism from the IPC, which said the commissioner’s statements were misleading, divisive, and capable of escalating tensions in the region.

The group through its President, Dr. Tosan Popo expressed concern that Aniagwu’s position as a government official lends weight to his comments, which may be interpreted as reflecting the stance of the state government. They warned that such a perception could damage relations between the Itsekiri people and the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

IPC urged the governor to take decisive action by publicly distancing himself from Aniagwu’s comments or by addressing the concerns raised to reassure the Itsekiri people of his administration’s neutrality.

Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori spoke on the controversy for the first time on Wednesday, May 28 in a state address to the state Assembly calling for calm and urging all parties to await the outcome of processes currently being handled by federal authorities.

While the Itsekiri Progress Club welcomed the Governor’s call for peace, it insisted that it should be done to prevent further public statements that may undermine stability. The group demanded that Aniagwu be cautioned and restrained from making further statements on sensitive matters, especially those that touch on the identity, history, and political representation of ethnic groups in Warri.