Exclusive: How Tinubu doused tension in Warri Federal Constituency

The raging controversy surrounding proposal by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to delineate units, wards and constituencies in Warri Federal Constituency, was doused Thursday June 11, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, proferred  political solution, aimed at a mutually beneficial rotational power sharing arrangement.

The meeting, which brought out a roadmap on the way forward, was held in the Presidential Villa, at the instance of President Tinubu and was attended by seven representatives each from Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic Nationalities.

President Tinubu, reportedly emphasized the need for Itsekiris, Ijaws and Urhobos in Warri Federal Constituency to live together in brotherhood and encouraged mutual respect.

A very credible source, who was in attendance, told Fresh Angle International Friday morning, that President Tinubu ordered  11/ 9 wards formula between Ijaws and Itsekiris in Warri South - West Local Government Area, with the Ijaws of Isaba, Ogbe - Ijoh and Gbaramatu, having 11 wards, leaving  the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality with the remaining 9 wards. The President's position, was a sharp departure from the 13 wards INEC proposed for the Ijaws of Warri South - West Local Government Area and 7 for the Itsekiris in the local government.

President Tinubu, reportedly told the ethnic leaders in attendance, that he saw the units and wards delineation proposal for Warri South - West Local Government Area, as the major contention, hence he came out with the 11/9 solution.

According to our source, President Tinubu, who was silent on the delineation proposal for Warri North Local Government Area, said there was need to change the nomenclature of the three controversial wards proposed by INEC in the GRA, Pessu and Dore Market axis of Warri South Local Government Area.

He posited that a separate state constituency for Ijaws in Warri South - West and Warri North Local Government Areas, with Itsekiris having state constituencies of their own in the two local government areas, should address any fear of ethnic deprivation in terms of political representation in the State House of Assembly.

President Tinubu, also okayed a separate Federal Constituency to be created for Warri South Local Government Area, as proposed by INEC and urged leaders of the ethnic Nationalities to sign an accord, which would result in rotational representation for Warri North/ Warri South - West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

This Flagship Niger Delta Digital Newspaper, understands that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,  attended the crucial meeting, where President Tinubu, told the ethnic leaders to prevail on their women and youths, to immediately stop ongoing protests at  critical  National oil and gas facilities.

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