Warri Delineation Crisis: Asigborodor Movement Accuses Alex Eyengho of Incitement and Misinformation, Demands Investigation

ASIGBORODOR DEVELOPMENT MOVEMENT BLASTS ALEX EYENGHO OVER ALLEGED FALSE CLAIMS ON WARRI DELINEATION EXERCISE, CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION,

By Egbemavoice 

The Asigborodor Development Movement (ADM), Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, has strongly condemned what it described as misleading and inflammatory statements allegedly made by Chief Alex Eyengho concerning the recently concluded delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade T. M. Ogumaka, the group dismissed claims attributed to Chief Eyengho on a national television programme that Ijaw communities from Ondo and Edo States participated in the delineation exercise conducted in Delta State.

According to the movement, the allegation is entirely false, stressing that only Ijaw communities within Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State participated in the exercise as recognized by the relevant authorities.

The group expressed concern over what it described as attempts to misinform the public and heighten tensions in the Warri area, noting that Chief Eyengho had previously made statements capable of inciting unrest among ethnic groups in the region.

"The general public should disregard these false and misleading claims. Chief Alex Eyengho is speaking from a position of bias and confusion. The delineation exercise was conducted strictly within the framework of the law and in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment," the statement read.

ADM further explained that communities within Egbema Kingdom, including Kokotoru, Koropingbene Asigborodor, Awanba and Polobuboh, share recognized boundaries with neighbouring communities in Ondo State, but remain legally and administratively part of Delta State.

The movement noted that during media engagements, questions relating to the actual boundary demarcations between Delta State communities and neighbouring Ijaw communities in Ondo and Edo States were allegedly left unanswered by Chief Eyengho.

The group also challenged anyone disputing the delineation process to present evidence of any legal action, petition, or boundary dispute initiated against the Delta State Government regarding the affected communities following the Supreme Court judgment and subsequent boundary adjustments.

ADM maintained that the delineation exercise was carried out pursuant to the Supreme Court ruling directing a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units across the three Warri Local Government Areas, and not on the basis of arbitrary ethnic claims.

The movement decree that every ethnic nationality in the area, including the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo, had the opportunity to present their respective communities to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for consideration during the delineation process.

The Asigborodor Development Movement further condemned claims allegedly made by Chief Alex Eyengho in his recent remarks, where he reportedly stated that the three Local Government Areas in Warri belong exclusively to the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

The group described the assertion as false, misleading, and capable of creating unnecessary tension among the various ethnic nationalities that have coexisted in the area for generations.

According to the Movement, for the purpose of public clarification and historical accuracy, the Warri Federal Constituency is inhabited by three major ethnic groups the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo peoples all of whom have legitimate ancestral roots, communities, and stakeholder interests within the constituency.

The group stressed that any attempt to portray Warri as the exclusive heritage of a single ethnic nationality amounts to a distortion of historical facts and undermines the principles of peaceful coexistence, inclusiveness, and mutual respect among the people of the area.

The Asigborodor Development Movement therefore urged political leaders, opinion moulders, and community stakeholders to exercise restraint and promote factual narratives capable of fostering peace, unity, and sustainable development across Warri Federal Constituency and Delta State at large.

The Movement maintained that misleading statements on sensitive ethnic matters should be avoided in the interest of regional harmony and national cohesion.

"It is not the responsibility of any ethnic group to determine how many wards another group should receive. The delineation exercise was based strictly on judicial directives, demographic realities and established communities, not on political sentiments or ethnic preferences," the statement added.

The group further expressed concern over what it described as increasing inflammatory rhetoric and threats capable of undermining peace and security in the Niger Delta region.

Consequently, the Asigborodor Development Movement called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to clarify issues surrounding the controversy and reassure residents of the state's commitment to fairness and peace.

The group also urged relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement bodies, to investigate the statements attributed to Chief Alex Eyengho and take appropriate action where necessary to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

ADM reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence among all ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency and called on stakeholders to embrace dialogue, respect the rule of law, and support efforts aimed at sustaining peace and development in the region.

Signed:

Comrade T. M. Ogumaka

National Coordinator

Asigborodor Development Movement (ADM)

Egbema Kingdom, Warri North LGA

Delta State.