By GOODNESS TORITSEJU MENE
A storm of protest is brewing in Delta State as the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recent delineation of polling units and wards in Warri Federal Constituency, describing the exercise as unfair, unlawful, and inconsistent with both court judgments and ground realities.
The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality outrightly rejected the INEC’s delineation that the exercise was biased, and riddled with irregularities.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a press conference held on Monday at Preston Royal Event Centre, Warri South Local Government Area, and presented by Chief Brown Mene on behalf of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, the group said the Commission’s action amounted to robbing the Itsekiri people of their rightful representation.
While clarifying that they are not opposed to the Supreme Court’s judgment that necessitated the redelineation exercise, the group insisted that INEC’s implementation was deeply flawed. According to them, the new wards and polling units, as announced by the Commission on April 4, 2025, do not align with actual geographic coordinates on ground.
“As law-abiding citizens, we are not against the execution of the Supreme Court order on the redelineation of Warri Federal Constituency polling units and wards. What we demand is fairness, equity, and justice from INEC,” the communiqué stated.
The Itsekiri leaders alleged that phantom polling units and wards were created in the constituency, thereby undermining the credibility of the process. They, therefore, called on the Federal Government to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate INEC’s role in the exercise, and ensure that officials found culpable are sanctioned to serve as a deterrent.
Furthermore, the communiqué demanded the immediate implementation of all subsisting judicial pronouncements on Warri Federal Constituency, particularly the Court of Appeal judgment affirming the 10-ward structure of Warri South Local Government Area.
The group expressed confidence that if the Federal Government intervenes decisively, justice would be served and the rights of the Itsekiri people restored.
The press conference attracted prominent Itsekiri sons and daughters, including former Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Vincent Uduaghan, among others.
