Itsekiri leaders in Delta State have kicked against ward delineation of it constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court and called on the Federal Government to immediately set up an independent panel to scrutinise the work of the delineation committee in a bid to correct the anomaly.
They also called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio to Wade into the what they termed “brewing threats to regional security, safety to human lives and property including oil facilities in the region.
The leaders, in a petition through their solicitors, Amuda – Kannike (SAN) & Co queried the composition of the committee to determine whether it was just and fair regard being had to the principle of natural justice.
They also asked the electoral body (INEC) among others to “investigate the finances of the top officials of INEC and those of the members of the Committee to determine the allegation of financial inducement in the entire process.
They noted: “Examine the proposal of the committee to determine whether said proposal is not in fact the cancellation of names of existing Itsekiri communities and their replacement with names of Ijaw communities; in most cases against Supreme Court judgments.
“Inquire into the reason why over 21 years, beginning from 2003, there was the judgment in Suit No. FHC/B/109/97 Mr. Joseph Otumara & 8 Ors. v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & 4 Ors in favour of the Itsekiri people on the Ward structure and number in Warri South Local Government Area which declared 12 Wards illegal and 10 Wards legal which up till date INEC has never implemented that judgment.
The further added: “Determine whether the committee ought to have proceeded with the event of 4th day of April, 2025 when it has been served an application for an injunction restraining it from doing so adding “that the proceedings of the said Committee be stayed in the meantime to allow for the execution of prayer their prayers”.