There was jubilation in Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday, following the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) report on the Supreme Court-ordered delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The report, presented at an emergency meeting in Asaba, followed the Supreme Court judgment directing a fresh delineation exercise across Warri North, Warri South-West, and Warri South local government areas.
INEC also announced the creation of additional constituencies for the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities in Warri North and Warri South-West, a move described as subject to National Assembly constitutional approval.
The development was received with celebrations in parts of Warri, as stakeholders said it had effectively addressed long-standing agitation over electoral representation in the area.
According to the breakdown presented at the meeting, Warri North was divided into two constituencies, with Warri North I allocated to the Itsekiri community with 10 wards, while Warri North II, also with 10 wards, was allocated to the Ijaw community.
In Warri South-West, Warri South-West I was allocated to the Ijaw community with 13 wards, while Warri South-West II was allocated to the Itsekiri community with 7 wards.
In Warri South Local Government Area, a total of 20 wards were created, with Urhobo allocated 9 wards, Itsekiri 8 wards, and Ijaw 3 wards.
The report also indicated that Warri South constituency now comprises Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw populations within the newly structured arrangement, while Warri South-West and Warri North were reconfigured along similar lines of representation.
A prominent Gbaramatu leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the proposed creation of new federal constituencies in Warri North and Warri South-West would require constitutional amendment by the National Assembly.
He noted that while the constituencies had been delineated administratively, formal implementation would depend on legislative approval.
The emergency meeting was attended by the Resident National Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Unoren, a supervising national electoral commissioner, and representatives of the Itsekiri, Urhobo, and Ijaw ethnic nationalities.
Stakeholders described the release of the report as a major step in resolving years of dispute over electoral boundaries and representation in the Warri Federal Constituency.
