Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups in Warri Federal Constituency have praised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for creating additional polling units and releasing the final report on the Supreme Court-ordered delineation exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups said the commission’s actions had widened political participation and addressed longstanding complaints of marginalisation among the ethnic nationalities in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State.
The commendation was made on Thursday during a press briefing held at KFT Event Centre in Warri, where the groups expressed support for the final delineation report reportedly released by INEC following the Supreme Court judgement in suit No. SC/413/2016.
Stonix News, however, reports that no certified copy of the INEC delineation report was presented as evidence during the press briefing on Thursday by the Ijaws and Urhobo groups.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri Federal Constituency, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, stated that the commission deserved commendation for complying with the apex court ruling and implementing measures aimed at promoting inclusiveness in the political process.
According to him, the additional polling units, electoral wards and state constituencies created by INEC would ensure broader representation for the various ethnic groups in the constituency during the 2027 elections.
“The Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri applaud the Independent National Electoral Commission for acting in accordance with the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria by releasing the final report of the delineation for the conduct of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
“We also thank INEC for creating additional State House of Assembly constituencies for Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State and the directive for political parties’ primaries to be conducted immediately for the nomination of candidates to represent the different political parties in these new constituencies in the 2027 general elections.
“Furthermore, we highly commend INEC for recommending the creation of additional Warri Federal Constituency II for Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Areas.”
The groups explained that political disputes in the Warri Federal Constituency had persisted for years because many communities believed they lacked adequate political representation and opportunities to participate in governance.
They maintained that the delineation exercise had now created a more balanced political structure capable of reducing tensions and promoting peace among the ethnic nationalities in the area.
“The Ijaws and Urhobos clearly state that these actions of INEC in creating additional polling units, electoral wards, state constituencies and recommending the creation of a federal constituency in the implementation of the Supreme Court decision in SC/413/2016 have substantially addressed the political agitations and restored peace to the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State,” the statement read.
“The reason is that the problem of the Warri Federal Constituency over the years has been lack of political space for people from the different ethnic nationalities to participate in the political process. This gave rise to a sense of oppression and political alienation.
“However, the audacious steps by INEC to create additional polling units, electoral wards, state constituencies and recommend the creation of a federal constituency have addressed these age-long problems by giving every ethnic nationality the opportunity to participate in the political process.”
The ethnic groups further noted that the newly created constituencies reflected the ethnic diversity within Warri Federal Constituency and would encourage peaceful coexistence among the people.
They also applauded security agencies for ensuring calm during the delineation process and pledged their readiness to cooperate fully with relevant authorities ahead of the next general elections.
“One of the most significant points in the newly created state constituencies is the recognition of the ethnic diversity of the people in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State,” Okumagba stated.
“We also commend the security agencies for their collective efforts in maintaining law and order in the Warri Federal Constituency.
“Consequently, we express our collective resolve to fully cooperate and participate in the 2027 general elections in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State. We also call on all Ijaw and Urhobo people to be law-abiding in all the processes leading to the conduct of the 2027 general elections.”
The groups disclosed that they were among stakeholders invited by INEC to an emergency meeting at the commission’s Delta State office in Asaba on May 20, where the final copies of the delineation report were presented to representatives of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
They, however, warned against any attempt to interfere with the report or alter the outcome of the delineation exercise, saying such actions could threaten peace in the area.
“We were in Asaba, Delta State INEC headquarters and we were presented with the final copies of the report of the delineation exercise,” the statement added.
“We want to urge the Nigerian State and all agencies of government that we are aware and holding copies of the final report of the delineation exercise. We advise in the interest of peace that there should not be any operation from any quarter otherwise, it won’t be too palatable for the system and government of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the leadership of Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) has called on the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo – Amupitan, SAN, not to fall for what they described as the recycled ” fraudulent delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, done by some officials of INEC, under the pretext of fresh delineation proposal.”
President of INYC, Comrade Appearance Afejuku, who gave the charge in a statement Thursday May 21, said what was presented to stakeholders at INEC office at Asaba Wednesday May 20, was rehash of the controversial wards/ units delineation report released by the Commission April 4, .2025, which was largely rejected by the Itsekiri Nation, due to the fraudulent importation of coordinates into Warri Federal Constituency and brazen attempt to cede Itsekiri homeland to her neighbours
While stating that Itsekiri Nation is not against implementation of the Supreme Court judgement on delineation, as it relates to Warri Federal Constituency, Afejuku, he called for fresh field work to effectively” capture densely populated Itsekiri communities such as Ugbuwangue, Ugbori, Ubeji, Egbokodo, Ifiekporo, Aja – Etan, Ijala – Ikeren, Omadino, Obodo, Abigborodo, Orugboh and Ugborodo Federated Communities” saying “proper field work on the aforesaid Itsekiri communities and several others, would justify calls by Itsekiri Nation for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, in carrying out the delineation exercise.”
The Itsekiri youth leader, welcomed the proposal for creation of two more state constituencies and a federal constituency from Warri Federal Constituency, but emphasized: ” This should not amount to giving any jot of Itsekiri homeland to our ethnic neighbours or skewing the delineation exercise, to weaken the political and geographical dominance of Itsekiri Nation in Warri Federal Constituency.
End.
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