Leaders from the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities have agreed on power-sharing for Warri Federal Constituency II. The deal was struck Friday at the National Security Adviser's office in Abuja.
Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, chaired the meeting. He brought together ethnic representatives and top government officials to hammer out the agreement.
Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the DSS director-general, attended the talks. Both sides had been locked in disputes over electoral ward boundaries in the Warri area.
This agreement follows an earlier meeting President Tinubu hosted on June 11. That gathering brought together Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo leaders to address mounting tensions over proposed changes by INEC.
Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was present at the presidential meeting. Officials said the disagreements centered on representation and how constituencies would be carved out.
Under the new arrangement, both ethnic groups will share the House seat. Ijaw representatives will occupy it for two consecutive terms first.
After that, the position shifts to the Itsekiri for another two terms. Community leaders praised the deal as fair and inclusive.
"It's a practical framework," stakeholders noted in reactions to the accord. They said it ensures balanced representation among major groups in the constituency.
Kingsley Otuaro, the former deputy governor, signed for the Ijaw side. Dr.
Eric Omare represented Ijaw interests alongside him.
Sir A.S. Mene and Chief Robinson Ariyo signed on behalf of the Itsekiri.
Both men are prominent community figures in the region.
Ribadu endorsed the agreement for the Federal Government. Victor Okumagba and Chief Westham Adehor witnessed the signing on Friday.
President Tinubu had ordered the two sides to find common ground. He instructed two representatives each from the three ethnic groups to work out a mutually acceptable framework.
The president's directive came after tensions escalated over INEC's proposed ward delineation plan. Communities worried that the changes would affect their political voice.
Officials expect this breakthrough to ease mounting friction in Warri. Ward delineation exercises had sparked serious concerns about electoral fairness and representation balance.
The power-sharing model offers a clear path forward for both groups. It removes uncertainty about who controls political representation going forward.
