From Ben Dunno, Warri
The Delta State government has clarified the controversy surrounding ward delineation in the three Warri council areas—Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North—urging all parties involved to respect the Supreme Court’s judgment of December 2, 2022, to prevent lawlessness and maintain order in the area.
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this clarification during a media interview over the weekend. He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeks to address discrepancies observed in previous elections through the ward delineation exercise, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
Aniagwu stated that obvious lapses during elections conducted by INEC in the Warri Federal Constituency, particularly post-1999, prompted litigation by ethnic groups to correct electoral imbalances.
“You will recall that after the 1999 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) saw that there were a whole lot of discrepancies in the existing electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency,” he said.
“That federal constituency comprises three local government areas: Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North. In these areas, you have different ethnic groups—predominantly the Urhobos, Itsekiris, and Ijaws, with traces of other groups who have lived there over time, becoming much like these three distinct ethnic communities,” he added.
“These ethnic groups have lived harmoniously in these three local government areas. They’re not settlers; they’ve all been indigenous to that area. There have also been Supreme Court judgments on certain ownership disputes, which I won’t delve into, regarding which group owns a particular area,” he continued.
Aniagwu addressed the misconception that Warri belongs solely to the Itsekiris, stating, “It has always been a challenge for individuals who don’t live in this part of the world who believe that when you talk about Warri, you’re only talking about the Itsekiris, which is untrue.”
He further explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling addressed grievances raised by ethnic groups in the constituency. “These groups took the issue to court, and it progressed to the Supreme Court, which gave a judgment ordering a redelineation of electoral wards for equity and electoral balancing,” he said.
“That’s what INEC acted upon to address issues earlier raised earlier by INEC, noting that this constituency, along with others across Nigeria, had imbalances. These tensions arise because some individuals who benefited from the previously lopsided ward structure may lose certain advantages,” Aniagwu noted.
He acknowledged resistance to the delineation, saying, “It’s not unexpected because those benefiting from the already-existing inequitable imbalance may have benefited from unfair advantages. Addressing equity may rob them of those benefits, so resistance is natural.”
Aniagwu used an analogy to illustrate: “For instance, if you’re told you have cancer, you might wish it were HIV because it’s treatable, even though no one wants either. Similarly, those enjoying a lopsided arrangement may wish it remains, knowing it’s unfair to others.”
He urged understanding, stating, “We hope our brothers and sisters who benefited in the past will see that this was done in the interest of justice and equity.”