By Favour Bibaikefie

WARRI – Prominent Niger Delta environmentalist, human rights advocate, and peace ambassador, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly implement the final report of the ward and polling unit delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, warning that unnecessary delays could heighten tensions and threaten the fragile peace in the area.

Mulade made the appeal in a statement issued to journalists, where he stressed the importance of complying with the Supreme Court’s directive on the delineation exercise covering Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas.

The peace advocate also lauded Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for taking strategic measures aimed at promoting harmony among the major ethnic nationalities in the constituency, particularly the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo peoples.

According to Mulade, recent developments surrounding the delineation process have generated anxiety and disagreements among stakeholders, making it imperative for relevant authorities to act responsibly to prevent the situation from degenerating into conflict.

He recalled the violent crises that rocked Warri and neighbouring communities between 1997 and 2003, noting that the region is still recovering from the social and economic consequences of those disturbances.

Mulade cautioned that any perception of bias, injustice, or lack of transparency in the implementation process could reignite old disputes and undermine years of peacebuilding efforts across the Niger Delta.

“The authorities must approach this matter with fairness, openness, and urgency. Any action capable of creating feelings of exclusion or marginalisation could trigger avoidable tensions in the area,” he stated.

The Gbaramatu Kingdom chief emphasized that Warri Federal Constituency occupies a critical position in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and therefore requires sustained peace and stability for continued economic growth and development.

He further appealed to Governor Oborevwori to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure that dialogue and peaceful engagement remain the preferred means of resolving differences arising from the delineation exercise.

Mulade also called on INEC to faithfully implement the recommendations of the delineation report in strict compliance with the Supreme Court judgment, stressing that adherence to the rule of law remains essential for maintaining public confidence in the electoral system.

He warned that any failure to decisively address concerns surrounding the exercise could create conditions capable of undermining democratic governance and social cohesion within the constituency.

As debates over the delineation exercise continue, political observers, community leaders, and residents across Warri Federal Constituency remain keenly focused on INEC’s next steps, with many viewing the implementation of the report as a crucial milestone toward resolving long-standing electoral and communal disagreements in the area.