By Ejiro Nesisa
The Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo People of Warri Federal Constituency have said, they would use all necessary tools within their power to ensure there is no election in Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State come 2027 general elections if Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refuses to release and implement the report of the fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Constituency. This was made known in world press conference which was held on Monday at KFT Event Centre, Warri in Warri South Local Government Area Delta State.
In a statement jointly signed by both ethnic nationalities that were represented by Dr. Joel Bisina, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, High Chief Dr. Godspower T. D. A. Gbenekama,JP, The Fiyewei of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye,JP, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Hon. Frank Pukon, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori ,JP, Chief David Reje, Comr. (Mrs) Margaret Ikinbor, Chief Monday Keme,Chief John Eranvo, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Mrs. Ann Gagiyovwi,JP, and Chief Vero Tangbavei,JP said, earlier on the 25th day of August, 2025, the group informed the world on INEC’s refusal to release and implement the already conducted fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri territory, pursuant to the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Suit No SC/413/2006.
According to them, history is about repeating itself as the nation has not learnt the lessons of history. They said, the same reasons of corruption, tribal biases and undue government leaders’ influence on INEC hence has refused to implement its report, its own report and thereby blocking the road to peace. According to them, people denied the ballot, and due political participation and representation would have no option but seek other roads. They said:” That is not a threat . The Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State having exhausted all legal means including judgment of the Supreme Court on fresh delineation of electoral, wards and polling units, have no order option than to take our destiny into our hands.
“We shall use all possible means necessary to ensure that there is no election in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State in 2027.” They said, the job of fresh delineation was not an easy task hence it should not be swept under the carpet. They said: “INEC should immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders, a stitch in time saves nine.”
The group described the action of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as, apart from undermining and debasing the rule of law, it suppresses and strangulates their fundamental democratic rights to participate in the electoral processes, as it unconscionably dealt a blow to democracy in Warri, Delta State. The group said, they would not idly standby and watch their democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility.
They said:”Honoured members of the press, and all committed stakeholders and principal defenders of freedom, democratic ideals and good governance worldwide. It may interest you to know that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, became functus officious, after its judgement in 2022, in suit No. SC413/206, wherein it ordered INEC to delineate fresh electoral wards in Warri Federal Constituency. INEC complied and the delineation is done. The report is ready. Yet INEC has chosen cowardice over its statutory duty to implement the report.”
Adding their voices are Chief (Mrs) Onome Okumagba,a woman leader from Okere Urhobo Kingdom, and the representatives of the youths from the two ethnic nationalities . They all called on the INEC to do the needful in this regard to allow peace to reign in the Warri, Delta State in particular and the country at large.