0
Victor Okpomor
Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for releasing the final report of the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Constituency.
The two ethnic nationalities of Warri made this commendation while briefing journalists in Warri on the release of the final report of the Supreme Court by INEC, they warned that any attempt to alter the document could threaten the prevailing peace in Warri.
Their position was made known in a statement read by Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, on behalf of the Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency.
The ethnic groups said the release of the report by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)was in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered December 2, 2022 in suit number SC/413/2016 between Hon. George U. Timinimi and others against INEC.
They recalled that May 4, 2026, the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities jointly addressed a world press conference where they demanded the release of the final delineation report before the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
According to the statement, stakeholders from the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities were invited by INEC to an emergency meeting at the Delta State office of the Commission in Asaba on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, where the final report of the delineation exercise was officially presented to all parties concerned.
The two ethnic groups of Urhobos and Ijaws expressed satisfaction with the report, they described INEC’s actions as courageous and capable of addressing decades of political tension and agitation in Warri Federal Constituency made up of Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State.
They particularly applauded INEC for creating additional State House of Assembly Constituencies for Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Areas and for directing political parties to immediately conduct primaries for candidates who would contest the new Constituencies in the 2027 general elections.
They further praised the electoral body for recommending the creation of an additional Federal Constituency identified as Warri Federal Constituency II for Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Councils.
According to them, the latest development has substantially addressed longstanding political agitations arising from complaints of marginalisation and lack of adequate political representation among ethnic groups in the area.
They added, “the problem of the Warri Federal Constituency over the years has been lack of political space for people from the different ethnic nationalities to participate in the political process. This gave rise to a sense of oppression and political alienation.”
The Ijaw and Urhobo leaders stated that the creation of additional polling units, electoral wards, State Constituencies and the recommendation for another Federal Constituency would now give all ethnic nationalities in the area equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
They also noted that one of the most significant aspects of the new Constituencies was the recognition of the ethnic diversity that exists within the Warri Federal Constituency.
The groups commended security agencies for maintaining peace and order throughout the delineation process and urged them to sustain the existing peace in the area ahead of the 2027 elections.
While pledging their readiness to fully participate in the 2027 general elections, the leaders of Urhobos and Ijaws called on all their people to remain peaceful, law-abiding and cooperative throughout the electoral process.
They warned against any attempt to tamper with the final delineation report just as they stressed that they were already in possession of copies of the document vowing that would resist any move or attempt aimed at altering its contents.
They warned, “we are aware and we are holding copies of the final report of the delineation exercise. We advise, in the interest of peace, that there should be no alteration from any quarter, otherwise it will not be too palatable for the system and the government of Nigeria.”
The statement was jointly signed by Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Alaowei Denbo-Denbofa Owerkpodor, Chief John Edger Eranvor and others on behalf of the Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State.
