WARRI DELINEATION: Anxiety as Itsekiri, Ijaw/Urhobo sing discordant tunes on INEC report

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko Akuopha

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, met Warri Federal Constituency’s stakeholders in Asaba, May 20.

The goal: End lingering conflict, anxiety over wards delineation.

The timing and shortness of notice to the invited Warri Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos seemed intentional.

Asaba was unusually quiet that day. 

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other officeholders had deserted the Delta State capital, away in their respective communities, fixated on APC primaries to pick flag bearers ahead of the 2027 State Assembly elections.

“We were all in our villages partaking in the APC primaries, but then the Asaba gathering was such a sensitive one. We couldn’t afford to stay away. We had to send representatives”, explained a representative of one of the ethnic groups.

An INEC official added, “Even we were so busy, most staff also on the field monitoring the APC primaries across the voting space, yet that timing was best for the meeting.

“This is one issue that has always provoked strong emotions. We needed to ease the tension, let only key representatives attend, to avoid commotion at the INEC Asaba office venue.”

Report Unboxed

INEC had earlier released a preliminary report. Ijaws and Urhobos embraced it, Itsekiris rejected. All sides had waited anxiously for the final report.

The INEC Delta Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, joined by a Supervising National Commissioner, unveiled it. 

New outcomes: INEC created one additional state constituency each for Warri South West and Warri North LGAs.

All three Warri LGAs now have two constituencies each.

The Commission proposed grouping Warri South West and Warri North into one Federal Constituency. Warri South LGA then becomes a stand-alone Federal Constituency, subject to constitutional approval.

Ward breakdown: Warri North I, Itsekiri, has 10 Wards. Warri North II, Ijaw gets 10 Wards. Warri South-West II, Itsekiri, 7 Wards. Warri South-West II, Ijaws, now having 13 Wards. 

Urban Warri South has 20 Wards. Urhobos have 9, Itsekiris 8 and Ijaws 3.

We reject new proposals – Itsekiri

Sir A.S Mene is Secretary, Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts (ILoT). He said, “ILoT rejects the new proposed fresh delineation of wards, polling units, state constituencies and one additional federal constituency in Warri arising from the fieldwork and GIS mapping conducted by INEC, released 20th May in Asaba.

“While we welcome the creation of two additional state constituencies and one federal constituency, the devil is in the details/composition. The composition is based on the earlier rejected fraudulent data released by INEC 4th April 2025 at Asaba.

“Our position, on firm conviction, is that the exercise, as presently conducted, does not comply with provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC’s own guidelines for delineation of wards and polling units.

“While we acknowledge the judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/143/2016 directing INEC to conduct a fresh delineation in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGAs, we must clearly state that the Court did not declare existing wards, polling units, or voter register as fake or fictitious.

“We are deeply concerned that INEC, in course of its field operations and GIS mapping, appears to have exceeded its constitutional mandate by engaging in activities outside its electoral responsibilities, including identification and recognition of communities, demographic interpretations, and territorial classifications. 

“We maintain that INEC’s role is strictly administrative and electoral, not ethnographic or territorial. We further reject any attempt to rely on unofficial population estimates, aerial mapping interpretations, or artificially created community structures as basis for electoral delineation. 

“Any process that departs from constitutionally recognized data and lawful electoral procedures undermines the integrity and credibility of the democratic process.

“We also consider it necessary to correct the false narrative that Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups in Warri Federal Constituency have been denied political representation. 

“The political history of the constituency clearly demonstrates that both ethnic groups have continued to occupy significant political offices across Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGAs.

“Furthermore, findings presented by independent geographic information and survey experts reveal major inconsistencies in the proposed polling unit coordinates released by INEC.

“According to these findings, several polling units were allegedly located outside their designated LGAs while others reportedly fall within rivers, swamps, forests, Edo State, Ondo State and other non-habitable locations.

“These findings raise serious questions about the credibility, legality, and technical integrity of the exercise.

“Accordingly, we call on Federal Government to thoroughly investigate conduct of the delineation exercise and hold accountable any officials found to have compromised integrity of the process.

“We have already submitted formal objections to INEC and the Office of the National Security Adviser, and we expect those concerns to be treated with the seriousness they deserve.

“We remain committed to fairness, constitutional order, justice, and peaceful coexistence of all ethnic nationalities within the Warri Federal Constituency.”

It is final report, not proposal – Ijaws, Urhobos

Eric Omare, a lawyer on the case, responded, “Anyone referring to the outcome of the lastest Asaba meeting as proposal wasn’t present. Ijaws were present. I was present. It is not a proposal. It is INEC’s final delineation report, to be implemented with immediate effect”.

At Effurun, a joint gathering of Ijaws and Urhobos welcomed the report, warning against any alteration. Chief Victor Okumagba read the joint position. Alaowei Denbo-Denbofa Owerkpodor, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo and Chief John Edgar Eranvor also signed for the Ijaws and Urhobos.

Okumagba said INEC’s action would end decades of tension in Warri Federal Constituency. He urged political parties to hold primaries for the new seats ahead of 2027.

“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”, he stressed.

He added that the new structure gives all groups equal opportunity.

“We are holding copies of the final report of the delineation exercise. 

“We advise, in the interest of peace, that there should be no alteration from any quarter, otherwise it will not be too palatable for the system and the government of Nigeria,” Okumagba warned.

Omare had further clarified, “Unlike the state constituencies, INEC needs constitutional ratification before it can add and activate the new Federal Constituency.

“There are 360 Federal Constituencies in Nigeria as contained in the constitution. So if INEC has to create additional one, it requires constitutional amendment. 

“So INEC has proposed it. They will submit it to the National Assembly to amend it in the constitution to create Warri Federal Constituency II. 

“The two new state constituencies are within INEC’s power to activate immediately. What the constitution says is that a state should not have more than a particular number.

“So far as the number created by INEC under the circumstance are not beyond the maximum limit set by the law, the Commission can add more.”

If implemented, the new arrangement will shift political power among Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos in Warri. The question remains. Will there be amicable resolution?.

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