High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has appealed for calm and dialogue as tensions continue to trail the unresolved ward delineation dispute in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The Ijaw leader made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday in Warri, stressing the need for all stakeholders to embrace peace while efforts are made to resolve the lingering controversy.
According to him, the disagreement stemmed from the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the delineation of wards within the constituency, a development that has sparked protests and heightened concerns across the area.
Ekpemupolo cautioned against allowing the situation to spiral out of control, warning that any form of violence would only worsen the crisis.
“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution. The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.
“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.
“Therefore, I am calling for calm no matter the situation. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse,” he said.
The chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) further urged INEC to take necessary steps to restore confidence and stability in Warri and its surrounding communities.
He also advocated an urgent gathering of community leaders and stakeholders to chart a common path towards lasting peace.
“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,” he said.
Tompolo noted that since Monday, women and youths from several Ijaw communities in Delta State had embarked on peaceful demonstrations around oil and gas facilities located in the Escravos and Warri River axis.
He added that the protests had drawn widespread attention and prompted renewed calls from concerned Nigerians and other stakeholders for a peaceful settlement of the dispute.
The revered Ijaw leader maintained that dialogue, patience and mutual understanding remain the surest route to resolving the impasse and preserving harmony among the ethnic groups in the area.
