Warri Delineation: INEC Engages NSA Amid Urhobo Protest In Abuja
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it is engaging the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to address unresolved issues surrounding the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State, following renewed protests by Urhobo communities.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday as members of Agbarha Warri Kingdom and Okere Urhobo Kingdom staged a peaceful protest at INEC’s national headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, demanding the immediate implementation of a 2022 Supreme Court judgment on the matter.
Background to the Protest
The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as prolonged delays by INEC in releasing the final report on ward and polling unit delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency. According to them, the delay has sustained what the Supreme Court had already ruled as electoral imbalance and injustice against Urhobo communities in the area.
INEC had earlier, on 4 April, presented a preliminary delineation report to representatives of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Asaba, Delta State. The report proposed the creation and redistribution of wards across the three local government areas that make up the constituency.
However, community leaders say the final report, as ordered by the apex court, has yet to be released.
INEC’s Response
Receiving the protesters’ petition on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Commission’s National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, assured the delegation that the issue had become a top priority for the electoral body.
Zuru revealed that the INEC Chairman was already consulting with the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure that the matter is resolved in a way that promotes peace and inclusiveness.
“On behalf of the Commission, let me assure you that this is a priority. The Chairman is already engaging the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure that these matters are resolved,” Zuru said.
He commended the protesters for adopting a peaceful approach and stressed that INEC was committed to ensuring that all eligible communities are able to fully participate in future elections.
Demands of the Protesters
The demonstrators carried placards bearing messages such as “INEC must obey the Supreme Court,” “Urhobos are majority in Warri South,” and “Release the true delineation report.”
Speaking for the delegation, Adehor Westham, a leader of the Warri Urhobo group, said the protest was aimed at pressing INEC to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
According to him, the court in 2022 directed INEC to correct structural imbalances in the ward arrangement of Warri Federal Constituency, which he said had historically disadvantaged Urhobo communities.
He urged the Commission to release the final delineation report without further delay, warning that continued inaction could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
