From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

 

Political leaders from Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South local government area of Delta State, have rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recently proposed delineation of wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency. 

 

Speaking at a press conference at the Park Royal Hotel in Effurun, the leaders described the proposal as unacceptable, maintaining that they were unfairly represented based on the Kingdom’s population density and voting strength.

 

INEC’s proposal, which emerged from a Supreme Court ruling, has sparked intense debate among the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw ethnic groups after the report was presented to representative of the ethnic nationalities.

 

The report, which was presented to leaders of Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities, has been brewing controversy in the area with Okere-Urhobo political leaders, on Tuesday, voicing their stance against it.

 

Okere-Urhobo leaders contended that they felt marginalized in the process.

 

Addressing journalists, a former Delta State Assembly member and current Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Hon. (Chief) Matthew Poko Opuoru, said, “It is unacceptable for INEC to allocate only one ward to us, given our substantial population and landmass.

 

According to Opuoru , “We have no issues with other ethnic groups; our appeal is simply for equitable treatment. We deserve additional wards — at least four — reflective of our sizeable voter base.”

 

He urged INEC to reassess their data, asserting that Okere-Urhobo is the most populous area within Warri South.

 

“We’re just advocating on behalf of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom that we deserve more ward to be created in our domain because we have the voters strength. We have the capacity, the population is there and we urged INEC to crosscheck their data, they will find out that we are the most populous area in Warri South.

 

“That is the premises of this press conference. It is an appeal that INEC should look into our case critically to ensure that the ward reflects the population”.

 

Chief Jude Onovughe Igberegbuo echoed these sentiments, expressing his discontent with INEC’s approach.

 

“We reject this delineation in its entirety; it does not accurately represent our community,” he said passionately, pointing out that the delineation process was riddled with irregularities.

 

“We the people of Okere-Urhobo in Warri South local government area of Delta state, reject it in all its entirety because it is not properly done.

 

“Our places were not properly captured. There are too many abnormalities in it so we want to call on the authorities to handle these issues properly”, he warned.

 

Chief (Comrade) Venture Daniels Evwerhamre also criticized the INEC proposal, revealing that the people of Okere-Urhobo had suggested six additional wards based on population assessments but was dismayed to receive only one.

 

“This is unacceptable,” he declared, urging the authorities to revisit their decision and provide fair representation.

 

Adding to the chorus of voices, Ambassador Duke Ufuoma Barro, a member of the INEC delineation committee, confirmed that proper processes had not been followed, calling for INEC to reconsider the Okere-Urhobo people’s proposal.

 

“INEC appears to have bypassed essential documentation that demonstrates our need for additional wards,” he remarked, pointing out that the people has the necessary evidence to support their claims.

 

“So we are expecting INEC to go back for what we present to them as a working document which they required in their A Form of INEC Delineation process. We are appealing to them to go back and look into what we presented to them. We have all they need to do this delineation in favour of Urhobo and for Okere-Urhobo Kingdom to have extra wards and units”.

 

As tensions rise in Okere-Urhobo, leaders, however calls for calm, urging the relevant authorities to addressing the vexing issues.

 

“We are not against the other ethnic groups, but we will not stand by while our rights are compromised,” they pledged, seeking justice and proper representation from INEC for their constituency.