An Urhobo socio-cultural and advocacy group, Urhobo Federated Council (UFC), says the call by the Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought is nothing other than a false alarm and misinformation which should not be taken seriously.
UFC, in a statement by the President, Comrade Felix Oturhobore and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Oguname, noted that the ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is adhering to, is a Supreme Court order which must be obeyed by all parties.
“Any disgruntled party with regard to the exercise should come to terms with reality instead of endless blackmail, protests and public outcry against INEC and the Nigerian Government.
“The three ethnic groups, namely, Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri, were carried along with their traditional and political representatives on ground during the ward delineation exercise by INEC. They gave INEC all necessary support as they played their roles as committed citizens during the fieldwork exercise from 10th -27th July 2024.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there were representatives of the three indigenous ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency. Amongst them are Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Dr Joe Bisina and Dr Andrew Igban on behalf of the Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities, respectively and other stakeholders who were duly present during the ward delineation exercise by INEC.
“The Isokos trying to involve themselves in this matter are in Isoko Federal Constituency with numerous developmental challenges. One wonders why they have a keen interest in the Warri Federal Constituency. Their action is likened to the Biblical hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob. Hence indicating the influence of a fifth columnist.
“It should be worthy of note that the Isokos are not a party to the Warri Ward delineation exercise as they are not indigenes of the Warri Federal constituency. This calls for serious concern on why they are acting as prophets of doom, trying to instigate a crisis in the Warri Federal constituency where there is none.
“We, therefore, use this medium to put the world on notice that should there be any form of unrest in Warri Federal constituency now or in the nearest future, the Chairman of the Isoko Political Youth Leaders of Thought, Comrade Daniel Omoraro and his group should be held responsible.
“We hereby notify our Isoko brothers that the peaceful nature of the Urhobos should not be taken for granted. We do not see any reason why an Isoko Political Group has decided to paint the Urhobos black.
“The parent body of the Isoko nation, the Isoko Development Union (IDU), should call their children to order and restrain them from dragging the Urhobo nation unnecessarily before they cause greater damage to the Isoko nation.
“While we commend INEC for a credible ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal constituency, we also urge the electoral body to publish the final reports of ward delineation exercise as they continue to ignore blackmailers and warmongers,” Urhobo Federated Council stated.
