By Ovie Okpare
The people of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately delaying the release of the final report of the recently concluded delineation exercise in the constituency in line with the Supreme Court judgement.
Both ethnic groups, however, demanded for the immediate release of the final report of the delineation exercise which the three ethnic groups in the Warri Federal Constituency fully participated in as INEC commences process for the 2027 general elections nationwide.
They faulted the ongoing INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the constituency, describing it as unconstitutional and illegal as there are no electoral wards upon which the electoral umpire can conduct CVR in Warri Federal Constituency.
Speaking on Monday at a world press conference held at KFT Place in Ugboroke, Uvwie, Delta State, they maintained that INEC cannot conduct voter’s registration or election in Warri Federal Constituency until the Supreme Court judgement is fully complied and implemented.
Reading the text of the world press conference, Olorogun Victor Okumagba from Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Warri, they decried the deliberate delay in releasing the final report of the delineation exercise five months after the initial report was released for final scrutiny and implementation.
The statement was signed by 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 on behalf of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
They warned that Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency resist any attempt to circumvent outcome of the already completed delineation exercise, describing the ongoing CVR exercise a futility.
The text read, “It is with great sadness, yet unbroken resolve, that we, the undersigned representatives of the INDEGENOUS Ijaw and Urhobo People of Warri Federal Constituency bring to your attention the alarming plan of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to undermine and debase the rule of law, suppress and strangulate our fundamental democratic rights to participate in the electoral processes, and unconscionably deal a death blow to democracy in Warri, Delta State.
“In compliance with the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation, INEC held several critical stakeholders meetings with representatives of the indigenous ethnic groups in Asaba, the Delta State capital. Specifically, INEC held a stakeholder meeting on February 2, 2023, to inform stakeholders of the judgement delivered in George Timinimi & Nine ors vs the INEC and pleaded that they should be allowed to complete the 2023 electoral process which had started before the judgement was delivered, a plea stakeholder obliged INEC.
“A follow up stakeholders meeting was held on the 4th of April,2023 where presentations were made on the guidelines for the field exercise by INEC. These stakeholders’ meetings culminated into weeks of stakeholders and INEC field works upon which a report was presented to stakeholders on the 4th of April 2025 in Asaba, the Delta State capital for review, with an expected proofread version incorporating minor corrections.
“Five months after the presentation, INEC has not been able to publish the final report, rather they have decided to commence a future election process in gross violation of the Supreme Judgement.
“We are fully convinced that INEC seemingly compromised independence, lack of resolve, and vulnerability to selfish external influence has delayed the release and implementation of this crucial report, which is vital to defining and enhancing the democratic participation of the indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency.”
They demanded amongst others, “That the Supreme Court ordered judgment drawn upon INEC to delineate fresh wards and units in Warri presupposes that hitherto existed wards were flawed and does not satisfy statutory requirement for credible future elections.
“That in the Supreme Court ordered judgement on INEC, the operative words are to “conduct fresh delineation” in the eyes of the law, there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units in Warri until the fresh exercise is concluded.
“That it is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgement by INEC, proceeding with the registration of voters in Warri Federal Constituency as there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units upon which the ongoing voter’s registration can stand. According to Lord Denning in the landmark case of UAC VsMcToy(1963) “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand”.
INEC should immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders. We shall not idly standby and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility. A stitch in time saves nine.”
However, representatives of the two ethnic groups including the Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, warned that failure to release the report of delineation exercise and non-implementation of the report could result crisis in the Niger Delta region.
Gbenekama called on INEC to resist pressure from external forces who are asking them not to release the final report of the delineation, and comply fully with the judgement of the Supreme Court.
The press conference was also attended by prominent traditional chiefs, women and youth groups from Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
