High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has called for calm and a peaceful resolution to rising tensions over the delayed delineation of wards in Warri Federal Constituency, as protests spread to oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, and signed by High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the Ijaw leader said peaceful women and youths from affected communities had been occupying oil and gas facilities since June 8, 2026, but warned that the situation must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
“I am calling for calm no matter the situation. I am also calling for a meeting of community leaders to meet immediately to enable us devise a way forward. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse.
INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environs. We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing.”
INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environs. We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing.”
Tompolo said the Ijaw people have historically been peaceful and urged all sides to avoid actions that could worsen the crisis. He also called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to chart a way forward.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to “do the right thing” and restore peace in Warri and its environs, while appealing to the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities to remain calm and patient as the process is resolved.
The unrest is tied to the long-running dispute over the Supreme Court-ordered ward delineation in Warri Federal Constituency, which INEC released in May 2026 but has continued to draw ethnic tensions and protests.
Reports say the latest protests have disrupted operations at some oil and gas facilities, raising concerns about security and crude oil production in the Niger Delta.
Tompolo described the current situation as one that should not be hijacked by violence and stressed the need for peaceful dialogue, adding that community leaders’ meeting should produce a workable path to peace and help prevent further escalation.