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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu/Ben Dunno, Warri
Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude and release report of the ward delineation exercise as ordered by the Supreme Court.
Speaking at the enlarged world press conference, they accused INEC of flagrant disregard of the Supreme Court’s ruling on electoral ward delineation, saying the electoral body had compromised the process with delay tactics.
They said INEC was trying to go for a fresh registration of voters in Warri Federal Constituency, whereas there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units upon which the ongoing voter’s registration can stand.
According to the leaders, the Supreme Court ordered judgment drawn upon INEC to delineate fresh wards and units in Warri presupposes that hitherto existed wards were flawed and did not satisfy the statutory requirements for credible future elections.
The leaders maintained that with the judgment which ordered INEC to conduct fresh delineation, in the eyes of the law, there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units in Warri until the fresh exercise is concluded. “That it is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgement by INEC, proceeding with the registration of voters in Warri Federal Constituency.”
Quoting Lord Denning in the landmark case of UAC Vs McToy (1963), they maintained, “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.”
The people averred that five months after INEC’s ward delineation exercise as ordered by the Supreme Court, INEC has seemingly compromised its independence and has failed to release the report.
They maintained that rather than do the needful, some elements with vested interest were teleguiding INEC and also muscling stakeholders with security agencies like the DSS.
“We are fully convinced that INEC seemingly compromised independence, lack of resolve, and vulnerability to selfish external influence has delayed the release and implementation of this crucial report, which is vital to defining and enhancing the democratic participation of the indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency.”
The statement was signed by Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Deinbofa Oweikpodor, Dr Joel Bisina, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Frank Pukon, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori, Chief David Reje, Mrs Margaret Ikinbor, Chief John Eranvor, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Wilson Ogbodu and Mrs Ann Gagiyovwi.
The leaders said that in compliance with the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation, INEC held several critical stakeholders’ meetings with representatives of the indigenous ethnic groups in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The statement further read: “Specifically, INEC held a stakeholders’ meeting on February 2, 2023, to inform stakeholders of the judgement delivered in George Timinimi & Nine ors vs the INEC and pleaded that they should be allowed to complete the 2023 electoral process, which had started before the judgement was delivered; a plea stakeholder obliged INEC.
“A follow up stakeholders’ meeting was held on April 4, 2023, where presentations were made on the guidelines for the field exercise by INEC.
“These stakeholders’ meetings culminated into weeks of stakeholders and INEC field works upon which a report was presented to stakeholders on April 4, 2025, in Asaba, the Delta State capital for review, with an expected proofread version incorporating minor corrections.
“Five months after the presentation, INEC has not been able to publish the final report, rather it has decided to commence a future election process in gross violation of the Supreme Court’s judgement.
“They, therefore, called on INEC to immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders, warning ‘we shall not idly standby and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility.’ A stitch in time saves nine.”
