By THE Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency have demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately implement the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri, describing the commission’s actions as “illegal and contemptuous.”
At a press conference in Warri attended by hordes of eminent personalities from the two nationalities, the groups accused INEC of flouting the apex court’s 2022 judgement, which compelled it to conduct a fresh delineation of wards in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North.
They argued that proceeding with the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise without the delineation results being ratified was “putting something on nothing.”
The leaders recalled that INEC held several stakeholder meetings between 2023 and 2025 and presented a draft report of the exercise, but has failed to release the final version more than five months later.
They alleged that the delay was deliberate and aimed at disenfranchising indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo voters, warning: “We shall not idly stand by and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility.”
The statement was jointly signed by over a dozen prominent community leaders from both ethnic groups.
They included Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Hon. Deinbofa Oweikpodor, Dr Joel Bisina, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Hon. Frank Pukon, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori, Chief David Reje, Comrade (Mrs) Margaret Ikinbor, Chief Monday Keme, Chief John Eranvor, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Wilson Ogbodu and Chief (Mrs) Ann Gagiyovwi.
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