The Urhobo Federated Council (UFC) and Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) have disagreed over the recent Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boundary adjustment in Warri, Delta State.
While OPC criticised INEC’s boundary changes in Warri, UFC said the Yoruba group has no business in Delta State affairs.
The UFC made this clear in a press statement signed by its president, Comrade Oturhobore Felix Oghenekevwe where he warned OPC to stay out of matters that concern Warri federal constituency,
The group said OPC accusing INEC of working with certain communities to manipulate things is unfair, reckless, provocative and unnecessary.
“Warri is not in Yoruba land. OPC has no historical, political, or cultural ties to our land. They should stay out of it,” the UFC said.
According to the UFC, the Supreme Court had already ruled on the matter and INEC was simply following that decision and that the boundary adjustment is legal, constitutional and final.
“The Supreme Court has spoken. INEC followed the law. That should be the end of the matter,” the council added.
The UFC also strongly rejected OPC’s claims that Ijaw communities were encroaching on land and paying bribes to INEC.
UFC described it as lies meant to stir up ethnic conflict, especially around areas like Abiteye, Ijahala, and Kantu.
“These are local issues that should be handled by people who live here not outsiders causing trouble from afar,” the statement said.
The UFC called on the federal government, National Assembly and security agencies to step in and warn the OPC against causing unrest in Warri.
The UFC said it stands by three things: The Supreme Court’s decision on the Warri constituency; INEC’s boundary work as fair and legal; peaceful living among Urhobo, Ijaw, and Itsekiri people.
“OPC should focus on matters in Yoruba land. Warri belongs to its own people, not outsiders,” the UFC maintained.
