Warri South Legislative Arm Adopts Resolution on Ijaw Communities

The Warri South Legislative Arm has passed a resolution stating that there are no indigenous Ijaw communities in Warri South Local Government Area, following deliberations on a petition submitted by concerned Itsekiri and Urhobo indigenes seeking the publication of the council’s official schedule of recognized communities.

The resolution was adopted through an overwhelming voice vote during plenary after a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Tuoyo Ebigbeyi, representing Ajamimogha Ward, and seconded by Hon. Eghere Dumetotor on Tuesday.

Speaking during the debate, Ebigbeyi said the House was considering a petition before it and not making a new byelaw, emphasising that councillors, as elected representatives of the 20 wards, had the constitutional mandate to debate issues and make resolutions on behalf of their constituents.

The petitioners, who staged a peaceful protest before presenting their request, said their action was aimed at ensuring clarity over the status of communities in the local government and preventing misinformation.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of the ongoing ward delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The exercise has generated intense debate after the proposed delineation allocated three wards to Ijaw communities in Warri South LGA, a move disputed by Itsekiri and Urhobo stakeholders, who argue that there are no indigenous Ijaw communities within the council area.

At the end of the plenary, the Legislative Arm resolved that there are no indigenous Ijaw communities in Warri South Local Government Area and forwarded the resolution to the Executive Chairman of Warri South LGA for appropriate administrative action.