The Warri Indigenes and Residents Peacebuilding Committee (WIRPC) has called on political leaders, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, thuggery and voter intimidation as the next election cycle approaches, stressing that political differences should not divide residents or threaten the peace of communities across Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State.

The call was made by the Committee in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Chuks E.V.W. Awogu, Spokesperson Comrade Hilda Amogha, and Secretary Mr. Innocent Idjereki, at the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) Ugolo near Osubi Airport, on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

In the statement issued by its Spokesman, the WIRPC unveiled a four-point agenda imperative for peaceful civic engagement, as well as addressed the roles of the media, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders in maintaining peace in the three Warri areas.

It noted that although individuals have the right to support candidates and political parties of their choice, they also have a responsibility to respect the choices of others, stressing that while elections would come and go, residents would continue to live together as neighbours.

Beginning with the call for 'Rejection of Political Thuggery and Youth Exploitation' the WIRPC strongly condemned political violence, thuggery, voter intimidation and the exploitation of young people for political interests, urging party leaders, candidates and their supporters not to provide weapons, illicit substances or other inducements to youths to disrupt political activities or cause violence.

It described young people as leaders of tomorrow and urged them to take part in the democratic process peacefully and to resist attempts to use them to threaten the lives and property of innocent residents.

On the call for 'Promotion of Inter-Ethnic Solidarity and Peaceful Coexistence', the Committee called on the Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo and other resident communities in Warri to embrace unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, while stating that the area’s ethnic diversity should serve as a source of strength and should not be exploited to create division.

It urged candidates and political parties to centre their campaigns on issues affecting residents, including development, infrastructure, education, employment, healthcare and public welfare, and cautioned against ethnic insults, hate speech and inflammatory statements, saying "no election is worth sacrificing the peace and unity" built among the communities.

On its appeal for 'Protection of Communal Space and Public Infrastructures', the WIRPC urged political parties, candidates, supporters and community members to protect markets, roads, public facilities, community centres and other shared spaces from destruction and political violence, stressing that the safety of residents, the wellbeing of families and the future of communities are more important than any political contest.

The statement which observed that electoral victories are temporary, while public facilities remain essential to residents’ everyday lives, called on political actors to pursue their interests through lawful, peaceful and democratic means, and not allow disagreements to destroy resources on which communities depend.

On the role of security agencies and the media, the Committee appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant security agencies to remain professional, impartial and committed to protecting every resident, regardless of political affiliation or ethnic identity.

It commended security personnel for their sacrifices and efforts to maintain peace, protect lives and property, and safeguard communities. as well as urged the agencies to operate within the law, respond promptly to credible security threats, prevent voter intimidation and ensure citizens could exercise their democratic rights without fear.

The committee also called on media practitioners to uphold professionalism, accuracy, fairness and responsible journalism, particularly during the election period, stressing on the need for them to verify reports before publication and to avoid circulating false, misleading or unconfirmed information that could provoke hostility or heighten tensions.

It also encouraged journalists, publishers, bloggers, social media influencers and other communicators to contribute to peacebuilding through factual reporting, balanced perspectives, constructive dialogue and responsible public communication, adding that, “The media should not inflame tensions; it should help build bridges, promote understanding, and strengthen peaceful coexistence."

On the recognition of traditional leadership, the committee expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, elders, community leaders, youth and women representatives, religious leaders and other stakeholders for their contributions to peace, unity and community development.

It further stated that while their wisdom and influence remained important in resolving disputes, encouraging dialogue and preventing conflicts from escalating, the WIRPC however appealed to them to use their positions to promote tolerance, discourage inflammatory statements and encourage their subjects and followers to participate peacefully in the electoral process.

While noting that peace is a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of every community, institution and resident, the WIRPC said it would collaborate with the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) to work toward deploying community peace monitors across wards, engaging key stakeholders and establishing a direct reporting channel for conflict resolution as part of its peacebuilding commitment.

Its proposed efforts, it said, are intended to strengthen community engagement, identify potential threats early, encourage timely intervention and promote peaceful dispute resolution, urging residents to report credible threats through appropriate channels and avoid spreading rumours or unverified information that could worsen sensitive situations.

In its final appeal, the Committee said no political ambition should cost the life of a Warri resident or damage the relationships that bind communities together, as it called on political leaders to act responsibly, youths to refuse recruitment into violence, media practitioners to uphold the truth, security agencies to remain professional, and traditional rulers and stakeholders to continue leading with wisdom.

The statement concluded with an appeal on residents to protect Warri, preserve unity and choose peace before, during and after the elections.

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