By DELTA State Commissioner for Rural Development and Public Communication, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has addressed the tensions arising from the ongoing redelineation of electoral wards in the Warri Federal Constituency, stating that the move was rooted in fairness, justice, and legal precedent.
Speaking in response to growing unease among some residents on a national telecast, Aniagwu explained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had acted in line with a Supreme Court judgement which identified imbalances in the electoral configuration of the Warri Federal Constituency.
The constituency comprises Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West Local Government Areas—home to the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw ethnic groups.
“These three ethnic nationalities are not settlers; they are original inhabitants of the area and have lived together in peace over the years,” he said.
“There has been a long-standing misconception that Warri solely represents one ethnic group, but that narrative is both inaccurate and unfair.”
According to Aniagwu, discrepancies in ward distribution were first noted after the 1999 general elections, prompting legal action by concerned stakeholders.
The matter was eventually decided by the Supreme Court, which ordered a redelineation to ensure electoral fairness across the constituency.
“INEC, in its current efforts, is simply implementing that court ruling to address the imbalance identified many years ago,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate that some individuals who benefited from the previous arrangement now see equity as a threat.”
Aniagwu emphasised that the resistance to the new ward structure stems from the loss of undue advantages enjoyed under the old system.
He urged those affected to see the redelineation not as a political slight, but as a necessary step to uphold democratic values.
“The process is not about taking from one group and giving to another—it’s about justice,” Aniagwu concluded.
“We hope those opposing it will come to appreciate that this adjustment was made in the collective interest of all ethnic groups within the constituency.”
He reaffirmed the Delta State Government’s support for actions that strengthen equity and peaceful coexistence among the diverse communities in Warri.
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