The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed it is in discussions with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) regarding the persistent challenges with ward and polling unit demarcation in Delta State's Warri Federal Constituency. Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, a National Commissioner at INEC, conveyed this information on Wednesday.
This assurance came during a peaceful demonstration organised by members of the Agbarha Warri Kingdom and Okere Urhobo Kingdom at INEC's headquarters in Abuja. The gathering was a response to the commission's perceived delay in enforcing a Supreme Court ruling that mandated the redrawing of electoral wards and polling units within the Warri Federal Constituency.
Earlier, on April 4, INEC had presented a preliminary report on the delineation exercise for the Warri Federal Constituency to representatives from the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups in Asaba. This initial report outlined the allocation of new wards across the three local government areas comprising the constituency.
During Wednesday's protest, community representatives urged INEC to expedite the release of the final delineation report, emphasizing its adherence to the Supreme Court's 2022 judgment.
Community leaders presented a petition to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, as part of the demonstration. Protesters held signs with messages such as “INEC release the true report,” “Urhobos of Warri are majority in Warri South LGA,” “INEC must obey the law,” and “INEC should follow the order of the Supreme Court.”
In his address to the demonstrators, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru acknowledged the peaceful nature of their protest and assured them that the matter was a high priority for the Commission. He disclosed that the INEC Chairman was actively engaging with the NSA to broker a resolution acceptable to all parties involved.
"Thank you most sincerely for the peaceful approach you have adopted on this issue. On behalf of the Commission, let me assure you that this is on the top of the agenda of the Commission. In fact, the Chairman is already talking with the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure that these matters are resolved", Zuru stated.
He further expressed INEC's commitment to ensuring that all eligible communities can participate fully in future elections, promising that a definitive stance on the issue would be communicated soon.
Chief Adehor Westham, leading the Warri Urhobo delegation, stated their objective was to secure the release of the delineation report. He reiterated that the Supreme Court had directed INEC in 2022 to rectify existing injustices in the ward structure of the Warri Federal Constituency.
Westham explained that while the community had agreed to refrain from disrupting the 2023 general election based on INEC's assurance of an ongoing delineation process, the continued delay in publishing the final report was now causing uncertainty, especially with upcoming political party ward congresses.
He noted that INEC had previously visited Warri South and shared a preliminary report suggesting nine wards for Urhobo communities across the Agbarha-Warri and Okere-Urhobo kingdoms. However, he contended that this number did not accurately reflect their demographic strength.
"If the wards in Warri South are to be 20, the Okere-Urhobo and Agbarha-Warri kingdoms should not get less than 13 or 14 wards. After the preliminary report, they said there was a little problem and the matter was taken to the National Security Adviser. Officials from the Office of the Attorney-General also visited our communities,” he said.
Westham also raised concerns about the February 18 ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC), questioning which ward structure would be recognised if INEC failed to release the final delineation report.
"Which ward are they going to use? Is it the wards the Supreme Court has nullified? Are they trying to disenfranchise us? If they do not announce it before the congress, we may go to court because you cannot disobey the highest court in the land", he warned.
Another delegate, Chief Louis Okumagba, affirmed that INEC officials had conducted fieldwork in all communities within Warri South, including Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw areas. He expressed confidence that there would be no issues if the commission proceeded to release the final report.
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