The Federal Government’s ability to achieve its oil production target outlined in the 2025 national budget is currently jeopardized due to a protest by the Itsekiri Community in the Niger Delta. This protest has led to the disruption of operations at the Escravos oil production facility in Ogidigben, which has a capacity of 28,000 barrels per day and is one of the seven communities in Ugborodo.
On the previous day, the Itsekiri ethnic group shut down the Ogidigben flow station located in Warri, South-West Council, in response to the recent ward delineation conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) across the three Warri councils, which they claim has politically marginalized them.
Following the closure of the facility, the protesters issued a warning that they would target additional oil facilities in their area. Raymond Pira, representing the demonstrators—comprising men, women, and youths—stated that the protest would persist until INEC reverses its decisions regarding the ward delineation in the Warri councils.
He emphasized that more oil facilities and Federal Government establishments would be shut down until their grievances are addressed.
“What INEC has done is unacceptable. We cannot reconcile with this decision. If you intend to proceed with this process, you must adhere to the established rules. We are not opposed to delineation.
“The Supreme Court ruling, which INEC is using as a basis, has led to this situation. We previously sought legal intervention to halt the process because Warri Federal Constituency cannot be treated in isolation. Since INEC has chosen to disregard that court order, why not execute it correctly?” Pira remarked.
The facility, which was formerly operated by Shell and is now under the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings, was peacefully occupied early Wednesday morning by members of the Itsekiri community.
The protesters accused INEC of intentionally diminishing Itsekiri representation in the newly proposed wards for the Warri Federal Constituency while increasing the number of wards for other ethnic groups in the area.
The dissatisfied protesters have issued a warning that further shutdowns of oil facilities could occur in the near future. It is important to note that last Friday, INEC announced the results of the ward delineation exercise for the three Warri councils in Asaba.
The findings indicated that in the Warri North Council, which consists of 18 wards, the Ijaw community holds 10 wards, while the Itsekiri community has 8. In the Warri South West Council, which comprises 19 wards, the Ijaw community occupies 14 wards, and the Itsekiri community has five. The Warri South Council contains 20 wards, with the Ijaw community having three, the Itsekiri community eight, and the Urhobo community nine wards.
