Itsekiri Demand Probe Of INEC Ward Delineation In Warri

The Itsekiri nation in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State, has urged the Federal Government to investigate what it described as a fraudulent ward and polling unit re-delineation exercise carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At a press conference in Ugbuwangue, Warri, the Warri Traditional Council of Chiefs accused INEC officials of creating “phantom wards and units” in collusion with vested interests. They presented survey evidence and Google map projections, which they said exposed irregularities in the exercise.

Chief Brown Mene, the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri Kingdom, said the Itsekiri were not against the Supreme Court-ordered exercise but insisted it must be done in line with constitutional provisions and electoral guidelines. He called for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the matter and punish officials found culpable.

The council alleged that INEC included extraneous communities from Edo and Ondo states, as well as non-existent settlements and forest reserves, into the Warri map. They also claimed some polling units were sited in rivers, swamps and neighbouring local governments outside the three Warris.

A communiqué issued after the conference demanded the implementation of judicial pronouncements, including the Court of Appeal judgment affirming a 10-ward structure for Warri South LGA. The chiefs argued that INEC had overstepped its mandate by altering communities and ethnic boundaries, actions they described as unconstitutional.

The Itsekiri leaders also condemned threats by some Ijaw and Urhobo groups to shut down oil and gas facilities over the dispute, warning that any attempt to enforce the “tainted” delineation would destabilise peace in Warri.

Meanwhile, a coalition of Ijaw and Urhobo stakeholders dismissed the Itsekiri petition, describing it as an attempt to distort history and obstruct justice. They maintained that the delineation was carried out under the directive of the Supreme Court and urged the Federal Government to announce and implement the outcome.

The controversy has already sparked tension and clashes among the three ethnic groups in the constituency, raising fears of renewed intercommunal conflict. All eyes are now on the Federal Government and INEC for a response.