MULTIPLE CHIEF VERO TANGBOWEI EMMANUEL QUESTIONS WARD ALLOCATION FORMULA, URGES PRESIDENT TINUBU AND GOVERNOR OBOREVWORI TO INTERVENE

MULTIPLE CHIEF VERO TANGBOWEI EMMANUEL QUESTIONS WARD ALLOCATION FORMULA, URGES PRESIDENT TINUBU AND GOVERNOR OBOREVWORI TO INTERVENE

By Delta Event News 

Warri South-West, Delta State — Multiple Chief Vero Tangbowei Emmanuel, the Eye-la-Ere of the Ijaw Nation, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to critically examine the ward allocation structure in Warri South-West Local Government Area, describing the current arrangement as unfair and potentially capable of creating tension among Ijaw communities.

Chief Vero made the appeal while speaking with journalists during the recently concluded Ijaw and Urhobo Stakeholders' Press Briefing held at KFT Place in Warri.

Expressing concern over what she described as an imbalance in the distribution of political wards, the prominent Ijaw leader questioned the rationale behind the allocation formula currently being proposed.

According to her, four Ijaw kingdoms — Gbaramatu Kingdom, Isaba Kingdom, Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, and Diebiri Kingdom — were allocated a total of 11 wards, while a single kingdom was allocated nine wards.

She argued that the arrangement does not reflect fairness, equity, or balanced representation.

"Why should four kingdoms have 11 wards while one kingdom has nine wards? What kind of sharing formula is that?" she asked.

Addressing President Tinubu directly, Chief Vero reminded the President of his traditional title in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

"Mr. President, you are a titled man in the Ijaw Kingdom. You hold the title of Eyela-Wei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, while I am the Eyela-Ere of the Ijaw Nation. Please use your position to ensure fairness and justice for our kingdoms," she stated.

She further noted that with the 2027 general elections approaching, the concerns of Ijaw women in Warri South-West should be given serious attention.

"The 2027 election is coming. Please make us happy so that the women of the Ijaw Nation, especially those in Warri South-West, can continue to support you and your wife in achieving the desired electoral victory," she added.

Chief Vero also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Delta State Government to provide a clear explanation regarding the basis for the ward allocation exercise. She urged the relevant authorities to address the concerns raised before the implementation process is concluded.

According to her, failure to review the arrangement could lead to dissatisfaction, internal disagreements, and possible unrest among Ijaw communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area.

She further warned that aggrieved women could be compelled to seek alternative means of drawing attention to their concerns if the matter is not properly addressed.

Chief Vero appealed to President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, and other relevant stakeholders to arrange a meeting with Ijaw women leaders to discuss the issue and find a peaceful resolution.

"We are pleading with the authorities to meet with the women of the Ijaw Nation and discuss this issue before it escalates. Dialogue and fairness are necessary to maintain peace and unity," she said.

The remarks formed part of the resolutions and concerns presented during the stakeholders' meeting, where participants collectively appealed to President Tinubu, INEC, and other relevant authorities to ensure justice, fairness, and equitable representation for all communities affected by the ward delineation exercise before its full implementation.