Warri Wards Delineation: No Final Decision Yet – INEC Clears The Air Over Protests

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has responded to series of protest rocking the recent unveiling of field report on the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.

INEC, in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Thursday, said that the process have been rife with misconceptions.

According to the press statement, the field report released by the commission addressed concerns following a Supreme Court ruling which ordered the delineation exercise.

Recalls that on December 2, 2022, the Supreme Court mandated a review of the ward delineation in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West Local Government Areas of the state.

In response to the ruling, INEC said the Commission initiated a comprehensive consultation process targeting all critical stakeholders, which commenced in February 2023 and is set to conclude in July 2024.

Olumekun said last week, on April 4, 2025, the Commission conducted further consultations in Warri, where a draft report was shared with representatives from various ethnic nationalities involved.

He said that the aim of this session was to allow stakeholders to voice their concerns and feedback in hopes of establishing a collaborative and mutually acceptable delineation of wards.

“The purpose was to give them the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have. The overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved”.

Olumekun emphasized that the Commission has not yet reached a final decision on the delineation, stating that they value transparency and inclusivity in the process.

“Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the Commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.

“We urge representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their observations on the draft report which will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter”.

He urged all parties to maintain peace and security in the constituency and stressed the Commission’s commitment to fairness and the rule of law.

“Meanwhile, we appeal to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area. The Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders”, the statement further reads.