As controversies and reactions continue to trail the proposed delineation of wards, polling units, state constituencies, and an additional federal constituency in Warri Federal Constituency, the Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts (ILOT) has strongly rejected the exercise carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement signed by ILOT Secretary, Sir A.S Mene, on Thursday, the group faulted the newly released delineation proposal, stressing that the report is flawed, unconstitutional, and allegedly based on what it termed “fraudulent data” previously rejected by stakeholders.
The proposed delineation, which followed fieldwork and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping conducted by INEC, was released on May 20 in Asaba, Delta State.
While welcoming the creation of two additional state constituencies and one federal constituency, the Itsekiri group argued that the composition and structure of the proposed electoral units were fundamentally defective.
According to them, the exercise failed to comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC’s own guidelines governing the delineation of wards and polling units.
The group acknowledged the Supreme Court judgment in Suit No. SC/143/2016, which directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation exercise in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas. However, it insisted that the apex court never declared the existing wards, polling units, or voter register as fake or fictitious.
ILOT further accused INEC of allegedly exceeding its constitutional mandate by engaging in activities beyond electoral administration, including what it described as the “identification and recognition of communities, demographic interpretations, and territorial classifications.”
According to the group, INEC’s responsibility is strictly electoral and administrative, not ethnographic or territorial.
The statement also rejected any reliance on unofficial population estimates, aerial mapping interpretations, or what it termed “artificially created community structures” as the basis for electoral delineation.
The Itsekiri leaders warned that any process that departs from constitutionally recognized data and lawful electoral procedures could undermine the integrity and credibility of the democratic process.
The group also dismissed claims that the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency had been politically marginalized, insisting that members of both ethnic groups have occupied and continue to occupy significant political offices across Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North local government areas.
Raising further concerns, the group cited findings allegedly presented by independent geographic information and survey experts, which reportedly revealed serious inconsistencies in the polling unit coordinates released by INEC.
According to the statement, some polling units were allegedly located outside their designated local government areas, while others reportedly appeared within rivers, swamps, forests, and even parts of Edo and Ondo states.
“These findings raise serious questions about the credibility, legality, and technical integrity of the exercise,” the statement noted.
Consequently, the group called on the Federal Government to investigate the conduct of the delineation exercise and sanction any officials found to have compromised the process.
ILOT disclosed that formal objections had already been submitted to INEC and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The group, however, condemned threats to peace, security, and national infrastructure over the controversy and urged all stakeholders to pursue lawful and peaceful means of engagement while consultations continue.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Itsekiri people to constitutional order, justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence among all ethnic nationalities within the Warri Federal Constituency.
