Emami, Itsekiri Nation to INEC: “There Are No Ijaws In Warri South”

Warri businessman and politician, Ayiri Emami, has renewed opposition to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) handling of the Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise, insisting that disputed ward names in Warri South Local Government Area must be changed.

Speaking during a solemn family gathering on Monday, Emami declared that “there is no Ijaw community in Warri South,” arguing that INEC lacked the authority to create or rename communities through the delineation process.

“We will not sleep until those names are changed,” he said.

Emami maintained that while the Itsekiri nation supports compliance with the Supreme Court judgment on delineation, it would not accept the allocation of Itsekiri lands to other ethnic groups.

His remarks aligned with a press conference addressed by Comrade Alex Eyengho on behalf of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, which accused INEC of selectively implementing understandings reached during President Bola Tinubu’s June 11 peace meeting with Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo representatives.

The statement signed by Chief Emami, Prince Yemi Emiko, Sir Amorighoye Mene and Alex Eyengho, expressed concern that INEC had retained the disputed ward names of Bolou-Ama, Ewein and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban on its website despite discussions aimed at resolving the issue.

They called on the electoral commission to fully implement all directives arising from the presidential intervention, warning that selective compliance could undermine peace and stability in the Warri Federal Constituency.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, constitutional processes and peaceful coexistence among the ethnic nationalities in the area.