A foremost environmental rights organisation, the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) has expressed grave concern over the prolonged oil spill reportedly affecting several communities across Warri South-West and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State, allegedly linked to facilities operated by Heritage Energy Services on the Trans-Forcados Pipeline (TFP) corridor.

In a statement signed by the Coordinator of CEPEJ, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, the organisation described the situation as an environmental and humanitarian emergency that requires urgent intervention from the Federal Government and all relevant regulatory agencies.

According to reports from affected host communities, crude oil transported from OMLs 4, 26, 34, 38, 41 and 42 flows through the Trans-Forcados Pipeline (TFP), which residents allege has remained in service for over four decades without comprehensive replacement, despite industry expectations that major trunk pipelines should undergo timely replacement or rehabilitation to minimise the risk of failure.

CEPEJ noted with deep concern allegations by community members that the spill has persisted for several months, contaminating rivers, fishing grounds, mangrove forests and farmlands upon which thousands of people depend for their livelihoods.

The affected communities include Odidi, Kusimi, Batan, Izansa, Iniebogbene, Ikeremor, Ikeremor-Zion, Yeye 1, Yeye 2, Ofougbene, Forcados, Kufabou, Odimodi, Gbidipou and several other Ijaw settlements across the area.

It is deeply disturbing that, according to the affected residents, only temporary repairs were allegedly carried out to the failed pipeline while the wider environmental consequences remain unattended to. The communities further allege that no comprehensive remediation has commenced and that they have not received emergency relief materials despite the devastating impact of the spill on their lives and livelihoods.

Even more troubling are claims by residents that critical statutory processes, including a comprehensive Joint Investigation Visit (JIV), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other environmental response measures expected under Nigeria’s regulatory framework, have either not been adequately undertaken or have been significantly delayed.

The perception among many affected residents that the Federal Government has failed to respond with the urgency the situation deserves has further deepened feelings of neglect, abandonment and injustice within the predominantly Ijaw communities. Such perceptions, if left unaddressed, have the potential to erode public confidence and heighten tensions in the Niger Delta.

Environmental justice cannot be selective. Every Nigerian community deserves equal protection regardless of ethnicity, geography or political considerations. The lives of Niger Delta people are as valuable as the natural resources extracted from their land.

CEPEJ therefore calls on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, Heritage Energy Services and all other relevant stakeholders to immediately conduct a transparent and comprehensive Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) involving host communities and independent experts.

Undertake a thorough environmental impact and damage assessment in all affected communities.

Immediately contain and remediate all polluted rivers, creeks, mangroves and farmlands in accordance with international environmental standards.

Replace every failed and deteriorated section of the Trans-Forcados Pipeline instead of relying on repeated temporary repairs.

Provide immediate humanitarian relief materials, medical support and clean drinking water to affected residents.

Pay adequate compensation to impacted communities, fishermen, farmers and other victims whose livelihoods have been destroyed.

Institute an independent technical integrity audit of the Trans-Forcados Pipeline to determine its current condition and prevent future environmental disasters.

CEPEJ maintains that the Niger Delta cannot continue to bear the enormous environmental burden of Nigeria’s oil wealth while its people suffer from pollution, poverty and neglect.

The organisation warned that continued delay in addressing the reported spill could worsen environmental degradation, threaten public health, destroy biodiversity and undermine the fragile peace currently prevailing in the Niger Delta.

“The time for temporary fixes is over. What the people deserve is a permanent solution, environmental justice and responsible pipeline management that protects both lives and the ecosystem. The Federal Government and Heritage Energy Services must act now before this environmental tragedy becomes irreversible,” Chief Sheriff Mulade stated.

Signed:

Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD

Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ)

By Tama Peretengboro

WARRI – Leaders of the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency have strongly rejected a recent joint statement issued by some Itsekiri and Agbarha Urhobo stakeholders, describing it as misleading and filled with distortions regarding the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency.

Addressing journalists in a joint press briefing on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the leaders maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never ordered any alteration to the names of Registration Areas (RAs) or electoral wards in Warri South Local Government Area, contrary to claims made in the earlier statement.

According to the leaders, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never directed for the change of names of registration areas/electoral wards in Warri South Local Government Area as proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The President’s directive on registration areas/electoral wards was clear and restricted to Warri South West LGA and generally on power sharing in the three Warri Local Government Areas.”

They noted that the agreements reached during the presidential intervention had already been implemented by INEC in its final delineation report released on June 16, 2026, thereby bringing the exercise to a conclusion.

The leaders commended INEC for complying with the terms agreed upon by Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo stakeholders, describing the commission’s action as a demonstration of commitment to the rule of law and the Supreme Court judgment.

Dispute Over Power Sharing

The briefing also addressed issues surrounding power sharing arrangements in Warri South LGA. The Ijaw and Urhobo leaders alleged that efforts to achieve an inclusive political arrangement were frustrated during mediation meetings in Abuja.

They stated that “the Presidential directive on power sharing was not restricted to the proposed Warri Federal Constituency 11, but to all positions in the Warri Federal Constituency, including the Warri Federal Constituency 1 covering Warri South LGA.”

According to them, the participation of Urhobo representatives in the negotiations was intended to secure equitable representation for all ethnic groups within Warri South LGA rather than merely witnessing discussions between Ijaw and Itsekiri stakeholders.

The leaders further expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation of eight registration areas to the Itsekiri ethnic nationality in Warri South LGA but said they accepted the outcome out of respect for President Tinubu and in the interest of peace.

“We accepted the final report of the delineation in Warri South LGA as a mark of respect for Mr. President. Hence, we call on the Itsekiris to allow sleeping dogs lie,” they stated.

Ijaw Presence in Warri South Reaffirmed

A major aspect of the briefing focused on what the leaders described as repeated attempts to deny the historical and political presence of Ijaw communities in Warri South Local Government Area.

Rejecting claims that there are no Ijaw communities in the area, the leaders argued that the issue had been examined repeatedly by government institutions and electoral authorities and had consistently been resolved in favour of the Ijaw people.

“From available intelligence reports, physical communities on ground and existing electoral polling units, the Ijaw people are integral part of Warri South Local Government Area,” they said, citing deliberations held between INEC officials and ethnic stakeholders before the commencement of fieldwork for the delineation exercise.

They explained that INEC field officers specifically assigned to Ijaw communities conducted their work within settlements that now constitute the newly created Ewein, Bulou-Ama (GRA 2) and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Urban wards.

The leaders further argued that the Ijaw people have historically participated in the administration of Warri South, pointing to records dating back to the former Warri Urban District Council established under Western Region Law No. 177 of 1955.

According to the briefing, the law created four electoral wards for Ijaw residents in Warri Township, namely Alders Town B3, Ogbe-Ijoh Ward C1, Ogbe-Ijoh Ward C2 and Government Area F1.

They contended that subsequent electoral restructuring reduced those wards into polling units within larger wards, resulting in what they described as political marginalisation of the Ijaw population.

“The fact that the Ijaw areas were balkanized into polling units, marginalised and denied political representation does not mean that the Ijaws do not exist in Warri South Local Government Area before the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation,” the leaders declared.

Historical and Legal Evidence

The briefing cited several historical and legal instruments, including the 1955 Western Region Law, the Delta State Communities Development Committee (CDC) Law of 2005, and the 1999 Gazette establishing the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, as evidence of the recognition of Ijaw communities in Warri South LGA.

The leaders also referenced previous political appointments involving Ijaw representatives in Warri South and noted that communities such as Ewein, Ogbe-Ijoh, Perebiri, Lotiebiri and Ikiandumu have long been officially recognised within the local government area.

They questioned attempts to exclude Ewein Community from Warri South despite its proximity to Warri Township while more distant Itsekiri communities remain within the local government’s administrative boundaries.

Call for Special Voter Registration

In their concluding remarks, the Ijaw and Urhobo leaders urged the Federal Government and INEC to disregard efforts to reopen issues already settled through the delineation process.

They maintained that stakeholders had accepted the final report and were already preparing for its implementation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The leaders also called on INEC to conduct a special voter registration exercise across the newly created polling units and registration areas in Warri Federal Constituency.

According to them, “This is to enable voters who have been denied political participation in the past register to vote in the 2027 general elections and onward, and also enable transfer of voters to the newly created polling units and registration areas.”

The joint briefing was signed by Alaowei Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Chief John Eranvor, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Chief Femi Okumagba, Chief David Reje and Pastor Samuel Ako.

PRESS STATEMENT

Hearty Celebrations With Okuama Community Over Court Judgment

Being Texts of a Press Statement Issued by Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD., om June 10, 2026.

I warmly celebrate with the people of Okuama Community following the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, which granted relief to detainees in connection with the unfortunate Okuama military saga.

This judgment represents a significant step towards justice, healing, and reconciliation. It also reinforces the importance of the rule of law and due process in our democratic system. I commend the judiciary for its courage and commitment to upholding justice and protecting the rights of citizens.

As someone who has consistently advocated for peace, dialogue, and sustainable development, I believe this development should mark the beginning of a new chapter for Okuama and its neighbouring communities. It is a time for healing wounds, rebuilding trust, and embracing reconciliation for the collective good of all.

I sincerely appeal to the people of Okuama Community and all Deltans to embrace peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and understanding. Sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability. Communities that are united and peaceful naturally attract government attention, private investments, and development opportunities that improve the lives of their people.

The unfortunate events that led to the crisis should serve as a lesson to all of us on the need to prioritize dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution over confrontation. No community can achieve meaningful progress in an environment of hostility and division.

I therefore urge community leaders, youths, women, and all stakeholders to work together in strengthening relationships with neighbouring communities and fostering an enduring culture of peace. Let us place the future of our children and the development of our communities above every other consideration.

My prayer is that this judgment will further promote healing, reconciliation, and unity among all parties while opening new opportunities for growth, progress, and development in Okuama and the entire Delta State.

Peace remains the greatest legacy we can leave for future generations, and I encourage everyone to remain committed to sustaining it.

Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD

Peace Ambassador, Environmental Rights Activist and Development Advocate