INEC Proposal: Warri Delineation Row Intensifies as Itsekiri Youths Tackle Ijaw, Urhobo Groups
Politics
Warri, Delta - Tensions are rising in Warri Federal Constituency following a protest by some Ijaw and Urhobo groups demanding the immediate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) second proposal for delineating electoral wards, polling units, and constituencies.
In a strongly worded statement, the Itsekiri Young Elites (IYE) described the demand as one that “raises fundamental questions about fairness, historical accuracy, constitutional compliance, and the integrity of the entire delineation process.”
The controversy stems from the 2022 Supreme Court judgment, which ordered INEC to carry out a fresh delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency based on constitutional requirements and current realities on the ground.
While some stakeholders from Ijaw and Urhobo communities have pushed for swift rollout of the commission’s latest proposal, the IYE has raised red flags over alleged inconsistencies in the report.
According to IYE President Comrade Lily-white O. Esigbone and Secretary Comrade Tuoyo Eboma, the proposed delineation includes issues such as duplicated settlements, questionable community classifications, and inconsistencies in population representation.
The group insists that any implementation must strictly align with documented history, colonial records, government gazettes, traditional institutions, and previous judicial pronouncements that recognize Itsekiri communities and the historical authority of the Warri Kingdom across Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West Local Government Areas.
“The 2022 Supreme Court judgment did not authorize the inflation of settlements, the creation of questionable electoral structures, or the alteration of established historical and demographic realities in Warri Federal Constituency,” the IYE statement reads.
The group emphasized that Itsekiri people are not seeking special privileges but “justice founded upon truth, fairness founded upon law, and representation founded upon facts.”
They called for a thorough review and public scrutiny of the proposal before any implementation, warning that proceeding without resolving the identified concerns could deepen divisions and undermine confidence in the process.
The IYE acknowledged the constitutional right to peaceful protest but maintained that sustainable peace in the region requires transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process rather than rushed implementation.
This latest development comes amid long-standing ethnic and political sensitivities in the oil-rich Warri area, where accurate delineation of electoral boundaries has historically been a flashpoint.
Stakeholders and INEC are yet to issue official responses to the IYE’s position as the situation continues to unfold.
