NEWS
Fresh Crisis Looms in Warri as Ijaw Group Takes Protest to INEC Headquarters
Fresh political tension erupted on Monday as members of the Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja over the delayed implementation of the Warri Federal Constituency delineation report.
The protesters, made up of Ijaw indigenes from the constituency, accused INEC of ignoring a Supreme Court judgment that ordered a fresh ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency.
Displaying placards and chanting protest songs, the demonstrators warned that the continued delay in implementing the report could affect the conduct of future elections in the area, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Addressing journalists during the protest on Monday, the Deputy Coordinator of the group, Freeborn Abraye, said the group had previously visited the commission over the same matter but had not received any concrete response.
Abraye explained that the Supreme Court directed INEC to carry out a fresh delineation exercise after allegations of political imbalance among the Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri ethnic groups in Warri Federal Constituency.
He alleged that the Ijaw and Urhobo communities had suffered years of political marginalisation in the constituency and insisted that the implementation of the report was necessary to ensure fairness and equal representation.
“The Supreme Court gave a clear directive, and INEC carried out the exercise. What we are demanding now is the full implementation of the report produced after that exercise,” he said.
He further claimed that the delay had heightened tension within the constituency and warned that the situation could worsen if the commission failed to act swiftly.
“If INEC refuses to implement the delineation report, there may be no election in Warri Federal Constituency,” Abraye warned.
Another leader of the protest, Ellington Bakumor, accused the electoral commission of disenfranchising residents of the constituency by refusing to operationalise the report despite involving representatives of all affected ethnic groups during the exercise.
Bakumor also alleged that political interests were influencing the delay and cautioned that peaceful elections could not be guaranteed if the matter remained unresolved.
In a petition submitted to INEC and signed by the group’s coordinator, Awipi Lawson, the protesters referenced the Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 2, 2022, which ordered a constitutionally compliant ward and polling unit delineation across Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
According to the petition, the apex court ruled that no electoral process should take place in the constituency until the delineation exercise was completed and implemented.
The group noted that although INEC conducted the exercise and released a field report on April 4, 2025, the commission had yet to make the final report operational.
The protesters therefore called on INEC to immediately release and implement the report, conclude the gazetting process, and suspend every electoral activity in the constituency until full implementation was achieved.
Responding on behalf of the INEC Chairman, an Assistant Director of Security at the commission, Mohammed Ahmad, assured the protesters that their petition would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
He added that the commission would carefully review the concerns raised and communicate its response in due course.
The Presidency has highlighted major development projects across Nigeria’s North Central region under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, covering eight key sectors, including road infrastructure, power, agriculture, education, aviation and security.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication and Presidential Spokesperson, disclosed this on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in a post on his X account.
According to Dare, the projects are designed to improve regional connectivity, expand economic opportunities, strengthen food security and promote development across communities in the region.
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He highlighted interventions spanning major road construction, renewable energy, agricultural support, educational development, security infrastructure and empowerment programmes.
In the road infrastructure sector, the listed projects include the Mararaban Jama’a–Pankshin–Langtang–Shendam–River Ibi corridor dual carriageway, Phase II rehabilitation of the Babban-Lamba–Sharan Road and construction of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway.
Others include the construction of the 600-metre Akwanga Underpass, completion of the Lafia Bypass, reconstruction of the Bali–Serti–Gembu Road and construction of the Gembu–Mbamnga–Yang Road, which commenced in early 2025. Improvement works are also listed along the Jalingo–Wukari corridor.
In the aviation sector, the government highlighted approval for the construction of an airstrip on the Mambilla Plateau.
The power and renewable energy initiatives include a 40-megawatt hydropower plant at the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, expected to supply electricity to the national grid, as well as irrigation channels to support year-round farming.
Other interventions include the deployment of solar-powered mini-grids, installation of solar streetlights and provision of solar home systems to households.
On agriculture and food security, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme is expected to provide farmers with improved seedlings, fertiliser and agricultural training.
The list also includes support for hybrid potato farming, expansion of irrigated farmland through dam infrastructure and development of agricultural processing centres.
For women and youth empowerment, the initiatives include agricultural support for women and young farmers through the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative.
Vocational skills development and certification for women, start-up grants for small businesses, market women empowerment through business training and start-up tools, as well as rural grants and skills development programmes, are also highlighted.
In education, the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa is listed for transformation into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, alongside expanded scholarship opportunities and improved access to higher education.
On security, the government outlined plans for the establishment of a new Army Division in Jalingo, Taraba State, alongside strengthened security deployment to protect farming communities and improve safety.
The eighth area focuses on regional development, with the North Central Development Commission identified as a long-term regional development initiative. Additional federal road projects are also expected to improve connectivity and support economic activities.
Dare’s disclosure highlights the administration’s focus on infrastructure expansion, agricultural productivity, energy access and human capital development as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Jos, Plateau State, alongside his wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in the state.
The visit is part of the Tinubu–Shettima campaign’s engagements as the ruling party seeks to secure support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The campaign’s visit to Plateau is expected to highlight the Federal Government’s infrastructure and economic development projects in the state, particularly those aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting commerce and supporting agricultural activities.
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Among the projects highlighted by the administration is the ongoing 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos highway, which forms part of the Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri Superhighway.
Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Sharram–Garram–Babban Lamba Road in Kanke and the approved Mararaban Jama’a–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, which is expected to improve connectivity between Plateau and Taraba states.
The administration says the projects are part of its broader development agenda to connect communities, facilitate access to markets and provide farmers and businesses with improved infrastructure.
The APC campaign is expected to use the rally to present the administration’s achievements and future plans while seeking the confidence of Plateau residents to continue its development agenda beyond 2027.
The Ogun State Police Command has presented cheques totalling ₦10.65 million to families and next-of-kin of deceased police officers who served under the command, as part of efforts to support dependants of personnel who died in active service.
The cheques, amounting to ₦10,658,391.36, were presented on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, anipr, and dated November 14, 2026.
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The presentation took place at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, under the Nigeria Police Force Group Life Assurance and the IGP Family Welfare Schemes.
The initiatives are designed to provide financial assistance to families of police officers who lost their lives while serving the country.
Accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, Ojajuni personally handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries.
Addressing the recipients, the police commissioner reaffirmed the Inspector-General’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.
He described the widows and families of the deceased officers as the “true superheroes”, acknowledging their resilience in coping with the loss of their loved ones who died in service to the nation.
Ojajuni noted that the financial intervention was a demonstration of the Force’s appreciation and institutional responsibility to support the families of fallen officers.
He said the initiative represented the Nigeria Police Force’s enduring commitment to standing by the dependants of personnel who paid the ultimate price in active service.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ejembi Ada Veronica thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Ogun State Police Command for remembering their families and providing financial assistance.
She assured the authorities that the money would be channelled towards the education, upkeep and general welfare of the children and dependants left behind by the deceased officers.
According to her, the intervention would provide timely relief and help improve the stability of the affected families.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to supporting the families of fallen officers, assuring them of its continued solidarity.
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