Ward Delineation: Gbaramatu Youth Council calls on INEC to do needful, warns Itsekiri on land trespass

The Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) on Thursday, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the needful to avoid land encroachment by Itsekiri team during the exercise of the fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency. 

In a press statement signed by Kingsley Arerebo Egbejule, President, GYC, and Raphael Tareke Erike, Secretary, GYC,  a copy which  was sent to  PEBNEWS on Thursday, warned the Itsekiri team who allegedly visited Gbaramatu communities; Saraghabubou, Ikantu and Ijaghala to collect co-ordinates with INEC officials.

The group further urged all security apparatus to take immediate and proactive measures to address the alleged collection of co-ordinates. 

The statement reads thus:

"ENCROACHMENT ON GBARAMATU LANDS BY ITSEKIRI IN THE ONGOING WARD DELINEATION EXERCISE:

"We write to inform the general public particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission— INEC that It has come to our attention that there has been an encroachment by the Itsekiri on Gbaramatu lands specifically  in the areas of Sagharabubou,  Ikantu and Ijaghala, during the ongoing ward delineation exercise. A Team of Itsekiri went to the above-mentioned communities in the Gbaramatu Kingdom and deceived the inhabitants that they wanted to construct an access road and deceitfully collected coordinates with members of INEC. 

"This encroachment is a serious matter that poses a significant threat to peace and security in the region.

"We strongly urge all security apparatus to take immediate and proactive measures to address this issue and prevent any potential outbreak of violence. The integrity and stability of our communities are at risk, and it is crucial that swift action is taken to rectify this situation by relevant authorities . 

"We are not in 1991 where INEC erroneously gave the Ijaws with 63% population four wards as against six wards given to the Itsekiris with only 37% population. We wish to state in strong terms that the communities of Ijaghala, Sagharabubou, Ikantu are all communities under Gbaramatu Kingdom. And any attempt to grab these lands politically by the Itsekiris will meet stiff and tough resistant. The peace-loving nature of the good people of Gbaramatu Kingdom should not be mistaking for cowardice and the Itsekiris should concentrate on how they can manage their ill-numbered communities rather looking for communities outside theirs to grab. 

"We reiterate that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) verification team to come on the ground without delay to assess and correct this abnormality. It is imperative that the delineation process is conducted fairly and transparently, respecting the rightful boundaries of Gbaramatu lands.

"A prompt attempt towards resolving this will assist to forestall avoidable confrontation that could result to breakdown of law and order."