Leaders of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo communities in Warri Federal Constituency have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of disregarding a Supreme Court directive on electoral ward delineation, warning that the development could jeopardize credible participation in the 2027 general elections.
The allegations were made on Monday during a world press conference in Warri, where prominent stakeholders expressed frustration over what they described as INEC’s prolonged delay in releasing and implementing the outcome of a court-ordered delineation exercise.
The leaders recalled that the Supreme Court, in Suit No. SC/413/2016, mandated INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the constituency following complaints of irregularities, including the existence of fictitious wards and uneven distribution of polling units.
According to them, although INEC carried out the exercise and presented a draft report to stakeholders in Asaba in April 2025, the commission has yet to publish the final version or act on its recommendations.
“One year after the presentation, INEC has not published the final report but has instead commenced electoral processes in violation of the Supreme Court judgment,” the group stated.
They further raised concerns over the legality of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the constituency, arguing that proceeding under what they termed an unresolved and potentially flawed ward structure could raise serious constitutional questions.
The stakeholders traced the roots of the controversy to longstanding irregularities in Warri’s electoral framework, citing INEC’s 1998–1999 report which reportedly acknowledged lapses in ward delineation and electoral administration.
Warning of broader implications, the leaders said the delay could erode public trust in democratic institutions and restrict the effective participation of indigenous communities in future elections.
“This situation risks disenfranchising the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people and undermining their participation in the 2027 general elections,” the statement noted.
They called on INEC to urgently release and implement the delineation report in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, while urging relevant authorities and stakeholders to intervene to ensure fairness, equity, and peace in the constituency.
The press conference was jointly endorsed by several notable Ijaw and Urhobo leaders, including Dr. Joel Bisina, Oloroogun Victor Okumagba (JP), High Chief Dr. Godspower T. D. A. Gbenekama (JP), Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye (JP), Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Hon. Frank Pukon, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), Chief David Reje, Comrade (Mrs.) Margaret Ikinbor, Chief Monday Keme, Chief John Eranvor, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Mrs. Ann Gagiyovwi (JP), and Chief Vero Tangbavei (JP).
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not issued an official response to the allegations.
