A Niger Delta rights activist and environmental advocate, Chief Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently implement its final report on the Supreme Court-ordered ward and polling unit delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency, warning that delays could trigger renewed tensions in the area.

The renowned Delta State-born peace and development advocate also commended the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for his administration proactive steps adopted to prevent the looming crisis among the various ethnic groups, mainly the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo of Warri Federal Constituency.

Mulade, who is winner and candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) party primaries for Warri Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, made the appeal in a personally signed statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.

He urged electoral authorities to act swiftly and decisively to avoid a repeat of past hostilities, particularly the Warri crises that occurred between 1997 and 2003, which he said had devastating consequences for communities across the Niger Delta.

According to him, the implementation of the Supreme Court-backed delineation exercise covering Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North local government areas has generated rising tension among ethnic groups in the constituency, a development he warned could escalate if not properly managed.

He cautioned that failure to implement the report transparently and fairly could inflame long-standing grievances, potentially snowballing into a broader conflict capable of disrupting oil production activities in the region and threatening Nigeria’s economic stability.

“The situation must be handled with utmost caution and urgency," Mulade cautioned. "Any delay or perceived injustice in the implementation of the delineation report could reopen old wounds and push the area into an avoidable crisis,” he added.

He emphasised that the Warri Federal Constituency remains highly sensitive due to its ethnic diversity and strategic importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas economy, stressing that peace must be prioritised above all political considerations.

The Ibe-Sorimowei of ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom and human rights activist further appealed to the Delta State Governor to take proactive steps to deepen partnership and adopt collaborative efforts with security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to ensure that tensions are de-escalated and that peace is maintained across the affected local government areas.

Mulade also urged the INEC to ensure that the final delineation report is implemented strictly in line with the Supreme Court’s directive, insisting that transparency and fairness remain critical to sustaining public trust in the electoral process.

He warned that failure to act decisively could undermine democratic stability in the region and reverse years of fragile peace-building efforts in the Niger Delta.

Stakeholders in the region continue to watch developments closely as calls intensify for the implementation of the delineation exercise, which many believe is central to resolving longstanding electoral and communal disputes in Warri Federal Constituency.

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