By Samuel Ogude
The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately implement its final report on the Supreme Court-ordered ward and polling unit delineation in the constituency, warning that further delay could heighten tensions in the area.
The groups made the call on Monday while addressing journalists in Warri. In a joint statement read by the spokesman of Gbaramatu Kingdom, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, and co-signed by representatives of the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency, the groups expressed concern over what they described as INEC’s delay in implementing the final delineation report released on May 20, 2026.
According to the statement, INEC presented the final report of the Supreme Court-directed fresh delineation exercise to stakeholders in Asaba, Delta State. The groups recalled that during the presentation, the National Commissioner representing the INEC Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusuf, announced the creation of 20 Registration Areas/Electoral Wards across Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
The statement further noted that the commission also approved two additional State Constituencies for Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas to enhance political representation in the affected areas. According to the groups, INEC had indicated that, given the limited timeframe before the 2027 general elections, political parties would be directed to commence primaries for the nomination of candidates to contest elections in the newly created constituencies.
However, the Ijaw and Urhobo groups expressed disappointment that more than 10 days after the release of the final report, implementation had yet to commence. “We are taken aback that despite the release of the final report, INEC has not moved to implement its recommendations as promised,” the statement said.
The groups further alleged that the delay was caused by external interference, claiming that pressure from the Presidency was responsible for the suspension of the implementation process.
“We have it on good authority that INEC’s failure to immediately implement the report of the fresh delineation as promised is a result of external interference by the Presidency, which allegedly ordered that implementation of the final report be put on hold,” the statement alleged. They argued that any delay in implementing the report could adversely affect preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly with deadlines for party primaries and submission of candidates’ lists fast approaching.
The groups also maintained that INEC, as an independent constitutional body, should be allowed to discharge its duties without external influence. Citing Section 161 of the 1999 Constitution, they argued that the electoral commission is empowered to perform its functions independently and should not be subjected to directives from any arm of government. The statement also dismissed reported security concerns allegedly raised over the implementation of the delineation exercise, describing such claims as unfounded.
According to the groups, any individual or group threatening public peace should be identified and dealt with in accordance with the law rather than using such concerns as grounds to delay implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. They further contended that the final delineation exercise had already made significant concessions to the Itsekiri ethnic nationality through the allocation of additional registration areas and wards in Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas.
The Ijaw and Urhobo groups therefore urged INEC to proceed with the implementation of the final report without alteration, warning that any attempt to modify the outcome of the delineation exercise could generate fresh tensions in the Warri area.
They recalled the crisis that engulfed parts of Warri between 1997 and 2003 following the relocation of the headquarters of Ogbe-Ijoh to Ogidigben, a development that resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. The groups stressed the need for all stakeholders to respect the Supreme Court judgment and ensure that the delineation process is implemented in accordance with the law to safeguard peace, justice and democratic representation in the Warri Federal Constituency.