The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, a coalition of 130 pan-Yoruba socio-political and professional organisations, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the perceived tensions in the Niger Delta.

The group also called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to work closely with the president to address the alleged marginalisation of the Itsekiri people in Warri federal constituency.

Speaking at a news conference in Lagos, AYDM general secretary Popoola Ajayi and other Yoruba leaders, including Wale Osun and Kunle Oshodi, expressed concern over what they described as the “systemic political and economic exclusion of the Itsekiri people.”

According to AYDM, the ongoing attempt by the Independent National Electoral Commission to redraw ward boundaries undermines the Itsekiri population.

“It is a deliberate and dangerous provocation which could re-ignite ethnic hostilities and threaten national stability,” the group said.

The coalition highlighted some of the grievances as alleged INEC merger and reduction of historically recognised Itsekiri wards from 10 to six while expanding wards for Ijaw and Urhobo communities, disobedience of court judgments affirming the Itsekiri’s rightful ward structure and the transfer of local government headquarters from Itsekiri to Ijaw communities.

Other allegations listed include an award of pipeline surveillance contracts in Itsekiri territory to a company viewed as hostile to the Itsekiri people and desecration of sacred Itsekiri groves and temples by security operatives acting on behalf of non-Itsekiri interests.

The group called for the immediate withdrawal of all pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to the said private security service in the Itsekiri areas.

It appealed to the federal government to institute an inquiry into INEC’s ward delineation activities in the Warri federal constituency. It called for enforcing existing court rulings on ward boundaries and community recognition.

The group also demanded the investigation and prosecution of all INEC and boundary commission officials involved in what it termed “a grand conspiracy to erase the Itsekiri people from their ancestral homeland.”

“This is not just an Itsekiri issue. It is a national issue. It is about justice, equity, and the sanctity of law. We, the Yoruba nation, will not stand by while injustice is being inflicted upon our kith and kin,” AYDM stated.

(NAN)