Some angry protesters in Delta state have shut down a 28,000 barrels per day (bpd) oil facility in Warri south-west LGA.
The demonstrators are fighting back against the proposed ward delineation of the Warri federal constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Delineation means the process of dividing or mapping out geographical areas into constituencies, wards, or polling units for electoral purposes.
This is to allow for fair representation and efficient management of elections across the country.
On Friday, INEC unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units, following a supreme court judgment.
But protesters converged on the facility, previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and now under Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings, amid widespread discontent over INEC’s recommendations.
The peaceful protest, which started on Monday, saw men, women, and youths displaying placards denouncing what they described as “ethnic cleansing” by INEC and “its collaborators”.
Secretary of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought,
Amorighoye Mene, hinted at legal action against INEC.
“We expected INEC to consider the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that comprise the area — the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, and other mixed-demographic areas — when delineating the wards and polling units,” Mene said.
He noted that the Itsekiri were not allowed to voice their concerns at the unveiling, leading to their outright rejection of INEC’s proposal.
