By Wilson Macaulay
A renowned humanitarian Rights Advocate, Engr. Dr. Messiah Doupade Olaye said the recent Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) delineation exercise of the Warri Federal constituency is a good one and described it as historic turning point in the political configuration of Warri Federal constituency just as he sued for peace and justice in this regard.
Engr. Dr. Olaye who is a respected technocrat and community leader, hailed INEC for the recently concluded Ward delineation exercise, which seeks to correct decades of political imbalance, marginalization, and systemic injustice that have long plagued the oil-rich but politically sensitive region.
Briefing the press in Warri, Engr. Dr. Olaye, a renowned advocate for equity and fairness in Delta State politics, applauded INEC for demonstrating courage, neutrality, and commitment to democratic ideals by addressing a sore wound that has festered for decades — the lopsided delineation of electoral wards in Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
According to him, it is historical imbalance that is rooted in political arm-twisting. Going memory lane on the genesis of the problem, Dr. Olaye said, since the time of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the return of democracy in 1999, Warri Federal Constituency has suffered a glaring injustice in electoral representation, largely as a result of imbalanced ward delineation and suppression of demographic realities.
His words“For too long, certain ethnic nationalities and communities in Warri have been strategically underrepresented in order to maintain a political status quo skewed in favour of a few.”Engr Dr Olaye said, despite population growth and development in some areas, particularly among the Ijaw and Urhobo communities, the number of electoral wards allocated to them remained disproportionately low compared to others, leading to systematic disenfranchisement and marginalization in the democratic process.
According to him, the imbalance was not a coincidence but rather a calculated political maneuver — “an arm-twist, an elite conspiracy” — perpetuated by vested interests to deny certain groups access to power and fair participation in governance.The Renowned Humanitarian Rights Advocate commended the courage and professionalism of INEC saying, the Ward creation exercise was a lofty one adding, the delineation done by INEC under the supervision of its Delta State office marks a bold departure from the past and signals the dawn of a new era in Warri politics.
His words:”This is the first time in decades that we are seeing a Federal Institution stand on the side of truth and equity. INEC has done well like a Daniel Come to Judgement. They have restored hope to those who have suffered political exclusion and rekindled faith in the Nigerian democratic system”.
While commending the commission’s adherence to constitutional guidelines, population data, and stakeholders consultation during the delineation exercise, Dr Olaye said INEC’s actions were “rooted in transparency, justice, and fairness.” saying, according to General Fidel Castro of Cuba, no army in the whole world can stop an idea whose time has come. According to him, the reality we see today as INEC has done, is indeed an idea whose time has come,no amount of smear campaign can upturn the incontrovertible truth.
Engr.Dr. Olaye called on all political actors, traditional institutions, and community leaders in Warri Federal Constituency to embrace the new delineation with maturity and open-mindedness, urging them to rise above ethnic bias and political greed just as he sued for peace and justice as development can take in the atmosphere true peace.
His words:”There’s no need for protests or instigating conflict. This is not a time for ethnic grandstanding. It is a time to reflect on our collective future. If anyone feels aggrieved, the courts are open. But let us all rise to defend a process that finally gives every group in Warri a voice”.
According to Engr Olaye, the new ward delineation represents a victory for the common(Grassroot) people — those whose voices have long been drowned by political manipulation, calling on INEC to remain vigilant and ensure that the implementation of the new wards ahead of the 2027 general elections is smooth, inclusive ,and free from sabotage. On the perceived grievances trailing the recent creation of new wards in Warri Federal Constituency, Engr. Dr. Olaye urged His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to uphold law and order, ensuring that peace reigns across the constituency.
According to him, the ward delineation marks a bold stride towards inclusive political representation that no group or individual should take the law into his hands under the guise of protest just as he appealed for calm and dialogue. He said the government must provide a peaceful environment where genuine concerns can be addressed without violence or intimidation. Engr. Dr. Olaye said there is the need for Governor Oborevwori to engage all stakeholders—traditional leaders, youth groups, and political actors—to de-escalate tension and foster mutual understanding adding, equity cannot flourish in chaos and meaningful development is only possible when there is respect for due process.
His words:”We must not allow this democratic gain to be derailed by unrest. I urge the Governor to ensure that security agencies are on alert and that all grievances are channeled through peaceful and lawful means “.Engr. Dr Olaye also used the opportunity call on the youths and grassroots leaders to participate more actively in the political process adding, the new delineation now provides more space for diverse representation, equitable power sharing, and community-driven leadership.
According to him, in a constituency that has seen its fair share of tension, contestation, and manipulation, the new delineation by INEC be welcomed by many as the beginning of a new political order — one based on fairness, inclusivity, and democratic integrity saying, as Warri moves forward, voices like that of Engr. Dr. Messiah Doupade Olaye continue to remind the people that true justice is not given — it is fought for and defended and today, in the heart of Delta State, the echoes of justice are finally being heard.