Ijaw protesters storm INEC over Warri constituency delineation

Hundreds of Ijaw protesters on Thursday marched to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja over the recent ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

The protesters, made up of elders and youths from the Gbaramatu, Egbema, Diebiri, and Isaba communities, said they were in Abuja to register their support for INEC’s delineation exercise, which they described as fair and in line with a Supreme Court judgment.

Carrying placards, the demonstrators commended INEC for what they called a transparent process, which they said marked the end of years of political marginalisation of the Ijaw people in the constituency.

Speaking during the protest, a representative of the Ijaw kingdoms, David Reje, said the exercise followed due consultation with the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups.

He said INEC had fulfilled its mandate by engaging traditional rulers and community leaders before finalising the delineation.

Reje dismissed claims that the commission did not consult stakeholders, adding that several meetings were held in Warri and Asaba before the new structure was announced.

The representative noted, “Why we have come here is to appreciate you, to thank you for the good work you have done since 2022, after the Supreme Court judgment. You never jettisoned the judgment.

Today, we have left our Egypt of political slavery to our promised land of political emancipation and political identity and dignity. Nobody will dictate a candidate for us, for councilors.

“Today, we have got our freedom. We have been set to make the world to know that the people who they termed minority are the true majority, which has been confirmed, which has been revealed to the whole world. The majority has come on board. The majority has come on the stream.”

The protesters were received by INEC National Commissioners, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru and Malam Mohammed Haruna.

In his remarks, Zuru thanked the group for their peaceful conduct and assured them of the commission’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law.

“We want to thank you most sincerely for coming here as one of the major stakeholders in this discussion. Thank you for appreciating what the Commission has done so far.

“We want to assure you as a Commission, we are dedicated to doing what is right as far as democracy in Nigeria is concerned. And God willing, we will ensure that democracy at the end of the day is what decides everything that we do,” he said.

The delineation report, presented in Asaba on April 5, allocates new wards across the three local governments in the Warri Federal Constituency.

Warri North now has 18 wards—10 for Ijaw and 8 for Itsekiri. Warri South-West has 19 wards—14 for Ijaw and 5 for Itsekiri. Warri South has 20 wards shared among Ijaw three, Itsekiri eight , and Urhobo nine.

Meanwhile, INEC on Thursday responded to public concerns regarding the proposed delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency, clarifying that no final decision has been made.

The clarification was made in a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Thursday,

Addressing the public reaction, the commission emphasised that the draft is not a final decision, and urged stakeholders to submit their observations for further deliberation.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, equity, the rule of law, and inclusive dialogue throughout the delineation process.

“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 added.