The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities of Warri Federal Constituency have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expedite and conclude the fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units as ordered by the Supreme Court.
This development comes amidst growing tensions in the region, with the groups warning that no electoral activity should proceed until the process is completed.
According to reports, representatives from both ethnic groups, drawn from Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas, expressed satisfaction with INEC’s fieldwork report on the delineation exercise.
The report, they said, reflects the demographic realities on the ground.
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This was contained in a statement signed by Ijaw leaders Hon. Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Hon. (Chief) Arthur Akpodubakaye, Dr. Joel Bisina, Comrade Emmanuel Igetei. Urhobo leaders,Chief John Eranvor, Chief Westham Adehor, JP, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Hon. Mark Ikpuri.
The groups lauded INEC’s adherence to the rule of law despite legal opposition from the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality.
The Ijaws and Urhobos firmly rejected the Itsekiris’ calls to use pre-existing voter registers in the delineation process.
They insisted that such records are invalidated by the Supreme Court ruling and that population data and settlement patterns should guide delineation.
The groups further alleged that certain Itsekiri elements are attempting to undermine the process by blackmailing INEC, disrupting oil operations, and leveraging media campaigns. “Warri is not a playground for political experiments. The federal government must not allow history to repeat itself,” they warned.
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In a worded passage, the groups stated: “The INEC fieldwork confirms that the Ijaws constitute the majority in Warri North and Warri South-West, while the Urhobos are the majority in Warri South. This truth must guide electoral delineation.”
The groups also raised serious security concerns over recent reports that individuals, including a serving British Army officer, were arrested for attempting to smuggle arms into the Warri Federal Constituency to allegedly disrupt the delineation process. They commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies for thwarting the plot and called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of all individuals involved.
The leaders urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to succumb to pressure or blackmail from any group seeking to halt or alter the delineation outcome, warning that any deviation from the Supreme Court’s directive could lead to renewed ethnic tensions.
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