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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Leaders and stakeholders of the indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo communities of Warri federal constituency, yesterday, vowed to resist with every blood in their veins conduct of any election in the constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2027 if it continues to delay the implementation of the Supreme Court’s order on delineation of electoral wards.
Speaking at a joint world press conference in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, yesterday, leaders from Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North, accused INEC of undermining democratic principles and delaying critical electoral processes.
They alleged that delay in releasing the field report is because INEC has been compromised by some conservative forces bent on sustaining minority rule over the majority in Warri territory, adding, “Justice is dying as the referee has joined the match.”
Leader of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Chief Victor Okumagba, who read the press conference statement, vowed that they would use every means possible to resist INEC if it fails to release the report of the already conducted delineation, saying, “We shall use all our possible means necessary to ensure that there is no election in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State in 2027.”
The elders and stakeholders including women and youths, recalled their previous appeal made on August 25, 2025, regarding INEC’s refusal to release and implement the fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri, a process mandated by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in December 2022.
Despite INEC’s compliance with the court’s directive, the leaders lamented that the commission has since stalled the publication of the delineation report, risking the legitimacy of future elections.
“The Supreme Court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of all electoral wards in Warri. We are exhausted by broken promises and unfulfilled judicial orders,” High Chief Godspower T. D. A. Gbenekama, the Fiyewei of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom said.
Continuing, he said: “If INEC refuses to act, we will take our destiny into our own hands. We are prepared to boycott the 2027 elections in protest, to demand justice and fair representation.
“The report is ready, but INEC has chosen cowardice over its legal obligation. This blatant delay threatens our democratic rights and could disenfranchise our people in the 2027 general election.”
Gbenekama disclosed that after their last press conference on the same matter, they were invited by the DSS and NSA office, insisting that this time around, “We cannot keep quiet in the face of oppression. We cannot pretend any longer. It is not a threat. It will be different for us to participate in the process that INEC is trying to conduct.”
Chief Gbenekama noted that the Ijaw and the Urhobo have not only been starved politically, they have also been punished economically.
He said that if the people cannot be allowed to exercise their rights, then they cannot continue to guarantee the Federal Government’s use of their resources to feed the country.
“We are tired of talking to our youths and women. The storm is building. We are ready to bear whatever brunt the President brings.”
A representative of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, the Alaowei of Warri, Chief Denbo Denbofa Oweikpodor, said INEC was directed by the Supreme Court to implement the report on the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, which he said is the constitutional rights of the people.
“The beneficiaries of the judgment want to enjoy their judgment.”
He cautioned INEC not to take them back to the dark ages of crisis in Warri Federal Constituencies,” pointing that the Federal Government was trying to make the government of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori unbearable with its action.
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He added that it was not a threat but a reality, stressing that it is the turn of the Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri just like the President claimed during his electioneering campaign in 2023 that it is ‘Emilokan’ (Meaning it’s my turn).
Speaking also, a representative of Isaba community, Chief Emmanuel Secondi said INEC is playing games with the delineation of polling units and wards in Warri Federal Constituency.
He said: “INEC has failed. INEC is evil, unconstitutional; it is biased to the people of Warri Federal Constituency. No delineation, no election, no politics.”
The leaders accused INEC of succumbing to external pressures and tribal biases, which they said had historically impeded fair representation for the indigenous peoples of Warri.
They pointed out that past judicial commissions and government reports, dating back to the 1990s, have also been ignored, perpetuating a cycle of marginalisation and unresolved conflicts.
Speaking on behalf of the womenfolks, a woman leader from Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Mrs Onome Okumagba and the woman leader from Gbaramatu Kingdom, Vero Tangbowei, said INEC seems to be governed by cowards, vowing that as women they would use every means possible to ensure the Supreme Court’s judgment goes on before any election.
“INEC has a responsibility; there will be no election in the Warri Federal Constituency. We will do what women in situations like this do and ensure no election will go on.”
They urged INEC to do the needful by implementing the Supreme Court’s judgment with a warning not to push the Ijaw and Urhobo people to the wall from now till the end of the month of May.
A cleric from Diebiri Community, Rev. Akoh Samuel who also lent his voice said there would be no election in 2027 if INEC fails to implement the report.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Rev. Ako said, adding, “We will not stand by and watch our democratic rights be trampled upon. The time for action is now.”
A representative from Egbema Kingdom in Warri North, Chief David Keje who pointed out the map released by INEC to the audience called on the ECOWAS, US and other world leaders, to take note of the happenings in Warri Federal Constituency.
“We will no longer take any pleas from INEC. All we need are our polling units and wards. Anything outside that will be visited by the wrath of the Ijaw and the Urhobo. We’ll withhold the flow of oil because you cannot thwart our efforts.”
To the police and other security agencies, he said, “If they need force, we will use force. Tooth for tooth, iron for iron.”
Some youth leaders also spoke their minds on the matter, warning that INEC would implement the report in the interest of peace, fairness and justice as time waits for no one.
The stakeholders emphasised that their fight is not merely about electoral boundaries but about safeguarding their fundamental democratic rights.
They called on INEC to honour the Supreme Court’s ruling without delay and warned that continued inaction would lead to increased unrest and a breakdown of electoral integrity in the region.
