Delta: INEC’s Delineation Report Sets Stage For ‘Fair Elections’ In Warri Federal Constituency

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented a report on the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State, to the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw ethnic nationalities.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports that the development follows a Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 2, 2022, mandating INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the constituency.

The delineation process was initiated after the Supreme Court’s judgment, with INEC conducting fieldwork from July 10 to 27, 2024.

The commission overcame a legal challenge from some Itsekiri group members who sought to block the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive.

Presenting the report to representatives of the ethnic nationalities including, Chief Victor Okumagba, Dr. Andrew Igban and Dr Joe Bisina on behalf of the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities respectively, State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren at the stakeholders meeting, said that it was the outcome of the fieldwork for the implementation of the Supreme Court ordered delineation of Warri Federal Constituency held in Asaba, the State capital.

Speaking during the meeting, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the event was the fifth engagement meeting with the stakeholders since the supreme court judgment delivered on 2 December 2022 that mandated the Commission to carry out delineation of wards and polling units of the three local government areas in the federal constituency.

Yakubu who was represented by INEC’s National Commissioner supervising Cross River, Delta and Edo States, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the presence of the stakeholders was a demonstration of their commitment to democratic principles and believe in INEC as an unbiased empire.

“We recall that in our last engagement meeting on the 8th of July, 2024 in Warri, federal constituency, we concluded all discussions with stakeholders and made a promise to commence the field work of the wards in the above mentioned constituency, the commission has carried out the exercise, which took place between 10th to 27th July, 2024.

“On the other hand, the entire people of the Warri federal constituency played their role as committed citizens”, the INEC Chairman said.

He expressed gratitude “to the Governor of Delta State who provided the enabling environment for this exercise.”

In his response, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, described the event as significant, “because it speaks to the determination, resilience and unity of purpose of all concerned to move beyond the Supreme Court Judgement delivered on 2nd December, 2022, to where we are today.

“The Report of the Fieldwork, is a critical cornerstone towards the Implementation of the Supreme Court Ordered Delineation of Wards and Polling Units in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State.

“Before we arrived at this point, a Stakeholders Meeting was first held at the INEC Delta State Office Conference Hall, Asaba on the 15 February, 2023 followed by the Expanded Stakeholders Meeting which was held in Asaba on 21st March, 2024.

“The third Stakeholders Meeting was held in Warri, Warri South LGA, headquarters of Warri Federal Constituency, on 8th July, 2024 before the Commission’s men and materials were deployed to commence the fieldwork exercise from 10th -27th July, 2024.

“I salute the Hon. Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu for providing leadership in all phases of engagements to date, Prof. Rhoda Gumus the Hon. National Commissioner, Supervising Cross River, Delta and Edo States, for displaying incredible wisdom in steering the proceedings on ground”, he said.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) gathers that from the report Warri North: Ijaw has 10 wards, while Itsekiri has 8 wards, Warri South West: Ijaw has 15 wards, and Itsekiri has 4 wards while Warri South: Ijaw has 3 wards out of 20, with Urhobos holding the majority.