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Warri Federal Constituency: Itsekiri People Accuse INEC of Bias, Reject Ward Delineation….Group insists April 4 delineation violates justice and fairness, urges Federal Government to implement Appeal Court ruling on Warri South 10-ward structure.

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By GOODNESS TORITSEJU MENE

A storm of protest is brewing in Delta State as the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recent delineation of polling units and wards in Warri Federal Constituency, describing the exercise as unfair, unlawful, and inconsistent with both court judgments and ground realities.

The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality outrightly rejected the INEC’s delineation that the exercise was biased, and riddled with irregularities.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a press conference held on Monday at Preston Royal Event Centre, Warri South Local Government Area, and presented by Chief Brown Mene on behalf of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, the group said the Commission’s action amounted to robbing the Itsekiri people of their rightful representation.

While clarifying that they are not opposed to the Supreme Court’s judgment that necessitated the redelineation exercise, the group insisted that INEC’s implementation was deeply flawed. According to them, the new wards and polling units, as announced by the Commission on April 4, 2025, do not align with actual geographic coordinates on ground.

“As law-abiding citizens, we are not against the execution of the Supreme Court order on the redelineation of Warri Federal Constituency polling units and wards. What we demand is fairness, equity, and justice from INEC,” the communiqué stated.

The Itsekiri leaders alleged that phantom polling units and wards were created in the constituency, thereby undermining the credibility of the process. They, therefore, called on the Federal Government to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate INEC’s role in the exercise, and ensure that officials found culpable are sanctioned to serve as a deterrent.

Furthermore, the communiqué demanded the immediate implementation of all subsisting judicial pronouncements on Warri Federal Constituency, particularly the Court of Appeal judgment affirming the 10-ward structure of Warri South Local Government Area.

The group expressed confidence that if the Federal Government intervenes decisively, justice would be served and the rights of the Itsekiri people restored.

The press conference attracted prominent Itsekiri sons and daughters, including former Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Vincent Uduaghan, among others.

Born of the Moment: Why I Stepped Into Politics Nigeria’s youth cannot wait for tomorrow—the future begins now, and leadership must be about service, not power.

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Kennedy Kanma, Esq.

“All the gang of those who rule us hope our quarrels never stop, helping them to split and fool us, so they can remain on top.” — Bertolt Brecht

I did not plan to become a politician. I was a lawyer, an entrepreneur, a citizen committed to service. But in 2023, when Nigerian youths rose with courage and conviction, silence was no longer an option. I stepped into politics not for ambition, but for duty.

The Obidient Movement was not just a political wave; it was a generational awakening. It taught us that Nigeria cannot be left in the hands of career politicians and self-serving elites. Leadership must be about people, not positions; about service, not power.

If we value lives, our laws must protect them. If we value health, our hospitals must heal. If we fight poverty with intention, our streets will thrive. A nation’s worth is never in cash, but in how it treats its people.

To Nigeria’s youth: the future does not begin tomorrow—it begins now. You are not just leaders of tomorrow; you are builders of today. Every voice, every action, every vote counts. That is why voter registration matters. It is more than a duty—it is a declaration.

Yes, our electoral system is flawed. Yes, our institutions are weak. But change has never come from perfection; it comes from participation. We must organize, mobilize, and defend our votes. We must demand accountability and reject apathy.

This is the heartbeat of the Obidient Movement—a new Nigeria where dreams are valid, voices are heard, and futures are protected. The cycle of complacency must be broken. Division and deception must be rejected.

I entered politics because I believe a better Nigeria is possible. To the youth, I say again: this is your moment. Rise, speak, organize—because the future begins now.

It is POssible.

Kanma
Lawyer, Entrepreneur, and Public Servant
Writing from Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

 

Kanma

Umuaji Quarters Indigenes Demand Direct Compensation Over 2nd Niger Bridge Project, Call for DSS, Govt Intervention

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By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr 

A fresh dispute is brewing in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, as indigenes of Ojeada, Umuda, Afadia, and other villages in Umuaji Quarters have raised alarm over alleged irregularities in the payment of compensation linked to the Phase 2A internal road network of the 2nd Niger Bridge construction.

Speaking to journalists in Asaba, a community leader, Obi Nduka Ogochukwu of Umuda village, accused the consulting firm, Odum O. Partners, of complicating the process. He alleged that the consultant, Mr. Okwchukwu Odum, claimed that the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), had directed that payments for Asaba claimants be channeled through him.

Describing the arrangement as unacceptable, Ogochukwu stressed that rightful property owners had met all requirements and deserved direct payments without any third-party involvement. He pointed out that in other affected communities such as Okwe, Okpanam, and Ibusa, compensation was paid directly to beneficiaries without similar controversy.

However, the palace of the Asagba of Asaba has strongly denied the allegation, dismissing it as “false and malicious.” Representatives of the monarch insisted that the Asagba had no hand in the compensation disbursement process.

The situation has been further complicated by what residents termed “contradictory statements” from the consultant. According to them, while Mr. Odum earlier promised that payments would be made directly to individuals, recent developments suggest otherwise.

Frustrated by over seven years of waiting, the Umuaji community commended Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori for prioritizing the road project but vowed not to allow confusion to derail the process.

In an earlier protest to the consultant’s office, the aggrieved residents accused Odum O. Partners of attempting to subvert due process. They have now called on the Delta State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS)—which has supervised previous rounds of compensation—to urgently wade in and ensure transparency.

The indigenes maintained that compensation must be paid directly to property owners, insisting that this is the only way to guarantee fairness, accountability, and peace in the community.

SSPTI Slams Rights Group Over Petition, Clears Delta Police of Role in Onishe’s Removal

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Nigeria Police Force, NPF

The South-South Professional & Transparency Initiatives (SSPTI) has faulted a petition submitted to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, by the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (YNRO) over the lingering traditional dispute in Ubulu-Uku, Delta State, describing it as premature, misleading, and without substance.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Ugochukwu Alozie, and made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday, SSPTI condemned what it termed “a deliberate attempt to smear the image of the Delta State Police Command” by the petitioner, Mr. Victor Ojei, popularly known as Wong Box, who also doubles as the YNRO Coordinator.

According to the group, it was improper for Ojei, who hails from Ubulu-Uku and is reportedly aligned with one of the factions in the communal crisis—to file a petition under the guise of human rights advocacy, while being an interested party in the dispute.

“We find it very disturbing that Mr. Ojei is using the cover of a civil society platform to unduly pressure the police into tilting their neutrality in favour of one camp in the Ubulu-Uku crisis,” the statement noted.

The body expressed surprise at the attempt to drag the Delta State Police Command into the internal traditional affairs of Ubulu-Uku. According to the body, it was “shocking” that Victor Ojei’s group tried to link the suspension of the Onishe (traditional Prime Minister) of Ubulu-Uku to the police.

“The question is: was it the police that removed him, or did we in any way influence that decision?” the body queried, stressing that matters of succession and discipline within the traditional council remain the exclusive prerogative of the Ubulu-Uku traditional authorities.

SSPTI also faulted the claim that the Delta Police Command deliberately kept the petition “in view,” stressing that routine procedures must be observed before investigations into such sensitive matters can commence.

“Our findings show that the interval between when the petition was submitted and when YNRO rushed to the IGP was extremely short. The allegation of deliberate frustration by the police does not hold water because petitions go through well-established processes before action can be taken,” Alozie stated.

The group further warned against attempts to politicize or hijack traditional issues under the guise of human rights advocacy, urging stakeholders to allow security agencies to carry out their duties without intimidation or bias.

“Matters of traditional authority and communal disputes are often complex and sensitive. What the Ubulu-Uku community needs now is peace-building, not unnecessary distractions or media campaigns to blackmail the police,” the statement concluded.

NDPAM Faults Youth Forum Protest, Says Call for NNPCL GMD’s Sack is Baseless

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Alhaji Awo Destiny Harmony

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

The Niger Delta Peace Awareness Movement (NDPAM) has criticized the recent protest by the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) headquarters in Abuja, describing it as baseless and driven by ethnic sentiment.

The protesters had demanded the removal of NNPCL Group Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari, alleging bias against the Niger Delta.

But in a statement signed by its National Leader, Alhaji Awo H.D. Amir, NDPAM dismissed the call as unfair and divisive.

“The NNPCL is a federal government-owned corporation, not the property of the Niger Delta. Demanding Ojulari’s sack simply because he is not from the region is laughable and unpatriotic,” Amir said.

He argued that Ojulari has been working to revamp the refineries, which had remained comatose for years before his appointment.

NDPAM also urged Niger Delta youths to channel their energy into productive ventures and community development rather than staging protests for political or financial gain.

“We must stop this selective clamping down on NNPCL and look at the bigger picture. Development will not come from constant protests but from taking responsibility for our region’s growth,” Amir added.

The group further questioned the sincerity of the protesters, suggesting that their motives may be self-serving.

Smear Tactics Won’t Work, Elumelu’s Camp Warns Political Opponents

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Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD

The Media Office of Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Immediate Past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has raised alarm over alleged plots by desperate politicians to launch a smear campaign against him.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the office said the plotters, worried about Elumelu’s growing popularity, have resorted to fake news platforms and deliberate misrepresentations in a bid to mislead the public.

One recent example, the office explained, was a fake Facebook post mischievously attributed to a news portal, Dailyreport.ng, which falsely claimed that Elumelu made comments about political parties during a rally in Asaba, Delta State, on August 9, 2025. The office clarified that Elumelu neither attended such a rally nor made any remarks as alleged, noting that no such political event took place in Asaba on the said date.

Investigations by the office alleged that the fake post was the handiwork of “cowardly political elements” who recruited individuals to spread fabrications and misrepresentations. It added that further findings revealed ongoing plans to sponsor hack writers and malicious publications aimed at tarnishing Elumelu’s image.

While stating that Elumelu has forgiven those behind the campaign of falsehood, his Media Office warned that it would not hesitate to pursue strong legal and professional action if the perpetrators fail to desist.

The office emphasized that this was not the first time it had to debunk false reports, stressing that Nigerians can easily see through such “cheap lies and political mischief.”

ASUU Members at Dennis Osadebay University Stage Protest, Demand Federal Government’s Action on Agreements

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By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members at Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba, on Tuesday joined a nationwide protest to press home their demands for the Federal Government to honour long-standing agreements with the union.

Led by the DOU ASUU Chairperson, Dr. Chuka Ebodili, the lecturers marched peacefully within the campus, carrying placards with inscriptions highlighting their grievances. They later addressed journalists, where Dr. Ebodili presented the national position of ASUU on behalf of the President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna.

Ebodili stressed that the protest was a coordinated action across all universities in Nigeria, warning that the Federal Government’s failure to resolve lingering issues could once again plunge the nation’s education sector into crisis.

He outlined ASUU’s unresolved demands, including:

  • Re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.
  • Sustainable funding of public universities.
  • Revitalization of existing institutions.
  • Payment of outstanding salary arrears (25–35%).
  • Implementation of long-overdue promotions spanning over four years.
  • Remittance of withheld third-party deductions.

On the proposed Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), Ebodili dismissed it as a “poison chalice,” accusing government of attempting to lure lecturers into debt rather than addressing their legitimate entitlements. He insisted that funds earmarked for the loan scheme should instead be used to pay the 31 months of withheld salaries owed lecturers.

The union also criticized the Federal Government for what it described as the “scandalous proliferation” of new universities without adequately funding existing ones. According to ASUU, the practice undermines quality education and erodes Nigeria’s standing in global university rankings.

In addition, ASUU demanded better retirement benefits for professors and other university staff, lamenting that many senior academics who had served the nation for over four decades are forced to survive on meagre pensions amid rising inflation and harsh economic realities.

Ebodili further disclosed that the outcome of the Federal Government’s planned meeting on August 28, 2025, would determine the union’s next line of action. While noting that ASUU had refrained from strikes for over two years, he cautioned that the patience of lecturers had been stretched to the limit.

“Government has destroyed the trust of the union; it is now up to them to rebuild it. If urgent steps are not taken, ASUU may have no choice but to embark on industrial action,” Ebodili declared

Oborevwori, World Bank, Stakeholders Endorse Community-Driven Approach for NG-CARES 2.0 in South-South

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Stakeholders from across the South-South region convened in Asaba, the Delta State capital, for the NG-CARES South-South Zonal Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) Performance Review Meeting.

The meeting is aimed at evaluating programme outcomes and charting the course for its next phase.

The meeting which was held on Tuesday August 26, 2025, was attended by representatives of the World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria, state governments, and implementing partners, focused on assessing the contributions of IVAs under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme.

In his address, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kingsley Emu, commended the collaborative efforts of the World Bank, the Federal Government, and state governments in sustaining NG-CARES.

He noted that although NG-CARES was initially designed as an emergency intervention to cushion the socio-economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since evolved into a multi-dimensional development tool that is driving grassroots transformation across the country.

“The impact of NG-CARES in Delta State cannot be overemphasized. Through this initiative, we have reached over 306,177 direct beneficiaries and more than 1.2 million indirect beneficiaries.

“This programme has not only alleviated poverty but also stimulated economic growth and empowered our communities,” he stated.

Governor Oborevwori further emphasized the importance of IVAs in ensuring transparency, accountability, and objectivity in programme assessments.

He added that deliberations at the meeting would shape strategies for the re-engagement of IVAs under the next phase, NG-CARES 2.0.

Highlighting the upcoming transition, he explained that NG-CARES 2.0 will adopt a Community Action approach, placing communities at the centre of planning and execution.

“This grassroots-driven model empowers communities to identify their own needs, implement solutions, and take ownership of interventions such as the construction and rehabilitation of social infrastructure.

“By putting communities at the heart of implementation, NG-CARES 2.0 will deliver deeper impact, stronger accountability, and more sustainable development,” he said.

Also speaking, World Bank Task Team Leader, Mr. Lire Ersado, disclosed that the Bank has committed $700 million to support NG-CARES nationwide.

He commended Delta State for its significant counterpart funding and its track record of impactful implementation.

“Delta State has been one of the leading contributors to this programme. While the Federal Government accessed N2.2 billion, Delta’s commitment stands out.

“For the World Bank, what matters most is not just how much has been spent, but how the programme is improving lives on the ground,” Ersado remarked.

He reiterated that the focus of the World Bank remains on tangible, measurable improvements in the lives of beneficiaries, including smallholder farmers, micro and small businesses, and vulnerable households across the federation.

In her welcome remarks, the Delta State D-CARES Coordinator, Lady Dr. Pat Ogbewe assured participants of fruitful engagement.

Hear her: “It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this important South-South Zonal Performance Review Meeting of the Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) engaged under the implementation of NG-CARES 1.0.

“This gathering underscores the authenticity and significance of our collective efforts in strengthening accountability within the NG-CARES Programme.

“It is worth noting that similar review meetings are simultaneously being held today in Nasarawa and Kebbi States, further reflecting the nationwide commitment to transparency and impact assessment.

“We are especially delighted to receive our colleagues from Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, and of course our Delta State D-CARES participants. Your presence here reinforces the collaborative spirit that drives the success of this intervention.

“This meeting is envisioned as a crucial step in evaluating the performance of our implementing partners and ensuring that NG-CARES remains true to its mandate of delivering real and measurable benefits to our people.

“We are confident that the outcomes of this review will provide a clear roadmap for strengthening the programme and guiding the effective engagement of Independent Verification Agents under the NG-CARES 2.0 dispensation.”

SAPELE: Where six languages dance together in the same market

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SAPELE

Did you know there’s a Nigerian town where six languages dance together in the same market?

SAPELE

Welcome to Sapele in Delta State a melting pot where every street corner hums with voices from across the Niger Delta.

Here, you might hear a trader call out in Urhobo, switch to Itsekiri to greet a customer, answer a friend in Ijaw, then strike a bargain in Isoko.

SAPELE

If the buyer is Yoruba, the conversation shifts again and somehow Pidgin English ties everyone together.

Why so many languages in one place?
Sapele’s history holds the answer.
Once a booming timber and trade hub, it drew workers, fishermen, and merchants from every corner of the Delta each bringing their own tongue and traditions.
Over time, the town became a living map of Nigeria’s linguistic richness.

SAPELE

Here, languages aren’t barriers they’re bridges.
A single market day in Sapele can feel like travelling across four ethnic nations without leaving town.

Imagine walking down one street and hearing the sound of the Niger Delta in full chorus.
That’s Sapele.

SAPELE

Olu of Warri’s 4th Coronation Anniversary Closes with Thanksgiving… Gov Oborevwori hails Ogiame Atuwatse III as a bridge builder and champion of peace, unity, and development as Iwere nation celebrates four years of transformative reign.

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By GOODNESS TORITSEJU MENE

The grand celebrations marking the 4th coronation anniversary of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, ended on a high note Sunday with a powerful thanksgiving service at the King’s Dominion Palace Church, Warri.

Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR and Olori

The royal family, chiefs, government officials, and indigenes of Iwere land thronged the palace church in a colourful show of gratitude, offering praise to God for a peaceful and progressive reign.

Representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, hailed the Olu as “a bridge builder and true champion of sustainable development.” He noted that in just four years, Ogiame has brought peace, unity, and renewed hope to the Iwere nation.

Papa Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor, OFR and Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR

In his fiery sermon, Rev. Michael Akpere urged the people to embrace thanksgiving as a lifestyle, declaring that God’s hand has preserved the Itsekiri nation through challenges. “Let God be God and let man be man. Thanksgiving opens more doors for blessings,” he charged.

Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR and Olori

The thanksgiving service, filled with hymns and heartfelt prayers, closed a week-long celebration of culture, faith, and unity, setting the stage for another glorious chapter in the reign of Ogiame Atuwatse III.

Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR and Olori
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