By Akanimo Felix
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued an appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, over the escalating tension surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) boundary adjustment exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The student body expressed deep concern over what it described as the growing unrest sparked by INEC’s constituency boundary review.
Urging the president , In a statement released by the NANS Vice President (National Affairs), Tenyo Digbopho on Tuesday, the student warned that the situation, if not addressed, could rekindle the devastating Warri ethnic crisis of the late 1990s.
“The current boundary adjustment exercise has triggered inflammatory statements and growing agitation across ethnic lines.
“If swift, peaceful intervention is not taken, Warri risks sliding back into the kind of crisis that once shattered communities and displaced thousands.”-Digbopho stated.
He recalled that the previous Warri crisis led to massive loss of lives, economic downturn, and psychological trauma effects still felt decades later. According to him, many of today’s youths and students never witnessed those dark days and must not be made to relive such horrors.
The student leader called on President Tinubu to initiate urgent peacebuilding measures and also appealed to the Delta State government to act as a stabilizing force in the region. “We urge the respected traditional rulers of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo communities to guide their people toward peace,” he added.
Digbopho further advised INEC to conduct the boundary review exercise with fairness, transparency, and sensitivity, emphasizing that neutrality is critical to maintaining trust and stability.
“INEC must avoid bias, favoritism, or any form of sentiment in carrying out this exercise. The integrity of the process will determine whether peace is preserved or broken,” he noted.
NANS called for unity among all stakeholders and encouraged the transformation of past divisions into collective progress. “Let the energy once used for conflict now serve the cause of development. A stitch in time saves nine,” the statement read.
The association reiterated its commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of students and communities across Nigeria.
