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Following the crisis that has greeted the ward delineation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a group, Warri Boys Association (WBA), also known as Warri Boys Social and Welfare Society, a non-profit, non-partisan socio-development organisation, has waded into the matter, calling for calm.
In a press statement signed by Mr. Matthew Ogagavworia, the president, Warri Boys Association, the organisation regretted what it called the rising threats and counter threats over the exercise.
“The Warri Boys Association (WBA) has watched with growing concern the rising threats and counterthreats surrounding the political ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency (Warri South, Warri South- West and Warri North Local Government Areas), particularly Warri City where we all grew up,” it said.
“As an association with deep roots in Warri, we have deliberately encouraged quiet engagement. However, the current trajectory compels us to speak.”
The group pointed to the dangers of unguarded words from various ethnic nationalities, saying if left unchecked, could have unpleasant outcomes.
“We are all witnesses to the brewing tension. Ethnic nationalities (Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw) and leaders of thought have exchanged strong words. If left unchecked, this will drag Warri back to the dark, ugly years that held our land down, years we are still struggling to overcome. We cannot allow a political process to become an excuse for violence.”
WBA, meanwhile, called for dialogue, saying no such crisis worth the blood of any indigenes.
“We urge all parties to reject any resort to violence, hate speech, or ethnic mobilisation for conflict. No ward rearrangement is worth a single drop of Warri blood. We call on all parties to immediately embrace a roundtable dialogue, facilitated by genuine leaders without preconditions.”
It also challenged the government to act fast and take charge of the situation while calling on INEC to be transparent, saying security agencies should be proactive in the discharge of their duties.
“We call on the Delta State Government and the presidency to take immediate charge. INEC must be transparent and fair. Security agencies must be neutral and proactive, not reactive. The government must guarantee that no ethnic group feels targeted or silenced.
“To our Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw brothers and sisters: Warri is our only home. Let us not burn it for politicians. Let us dialogue, disagree respectfully, and accept a fair outcome.
“We stand for peace. We stand for dialogue. We stand for Warri.”