GROUP COMMENDS TINUBU, RIBADU OVER WARRI PEACE AGREEMENT

The Community Safety Vanguard has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, for facilitating a political agreement aimed at easing tensions arising from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ward delineation exercise in Warri, Delta State.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Abbas Johnson, the group described the intervention as a significant step towards preserving peace and strengthening dialogue among the affected ethnic communities in the Niger Delta.

According to the statement, the agreement followed President Tinubu’s directive that representatives of the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities engage in discussions under the supervision of the National Security Adviser to resolve disagreements over the proposed Warri Federal Constituency II.

The Community Safety Vanguard said the negotiations culminated in a power-sharing arrangement that provides for the rotation of the House of Representatives seat between the two ethnic groups. Under the agreement, the Ijaw nationality will occupy the seat for the first two consecutive terms, after which the Itsekiri nationality will hold the position for the following two terms.

The group described the arrangement as a balanced framework intended to promote equity, fairness and long-term political stability within the constituency

It noted that the agreement emerged from a high-level meeting chaired by Ribadu in Abuja and attended by representatives of both ethnic groups, alongside senior government officials, including the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.

The organisation said President Tinubu’s decision to encourage dialogue demonstrated his administration’s commitment to resolving complex political and ethnic issues through consultation rather than confrontation.

“The timely intervention, carried out under the directive of President Tinubu, has helped prevent what could have escalated into a serious ethnic crisis capable of threatening peace and stability in the Niger Delta,” the statement said.

The group also praised Ribadu’s role in the mediation process, describing his leadership style as pragmatic, inclusive and consensus-driven.

According to the statement, his approach encouraged constructive engagement between the parties and helped build confidence throughout the negotiations.

The agreement was signed by former Delta State Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro and Dr. Eric Omare on behalf of the Ijaw nationality, while Sir A.S. Mene and Chief Robinson Ariyo signed for the Itsekiri delegation. Ribadu endorsed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, with Olorogun Victor Okumagba and Chief Westham Adehor serving as witnesses.

The Community Safety Vanguard urged political leaders and community stakeholders across the country to embrace dialogue, compromise and inclusive governance as effective tools for resolving disputes and sustaining national unity.

It added that the successful mediation had reinforced confidence in peaceful conflict resolution and demonstrated the importance of collaborative leadership in addressing sensitive national issues.