From Sodiq Omolaoye, Abuja

Ijaws back electoral body over delineation
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that no final decision has been made regarding the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency. 
   
INEC clarified this in a statement yesterday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun. 
This came after youths of the Itsekiri Community, Warri, Delta State, condemned INEC over the creation of communities and wards in three local councils in the state.
   
During a peaceful protest at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja, the community opposed the Commission’s alleged delineation, claiming it violated a Supreme Court judgment and disregarded established boundaries by creating unacceptable communities and wards that previously did not exist in Warri. 
   
But Olumekun disclosed that the delineation process is still ongoing. The Supreme Court had, on December 2, 2022, directed INEC to propose a new ward delineation for the constituency, covering Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West local councils.
   
Olumekun clarified that extensive consultations on the matter with all critical stakeholders have been taking place since February 2023. He said the Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week, on Friday, April 4, 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue. 
   
According to him, the purpose was to allow them to raise any concerns they might have, adding that the overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved. 
      
“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”, Olumekun said. 
   
He urged representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their observations on the draft report, which, he said, will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter.
   
The INEC commissioner appealed 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,” he said. 

MEANWHILE, members of the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Warri, yesterday, staged a solidarity rally in Abuja in support of INEC over its delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency.  
   
The group commended the electoral umpire for what it described as a fair and lawful implementation of a Supreme Court judgment. Speaking during the rally at the INEC headquarters, spokesman for the group, David Reje, said the Ijaws have suffered from unfair ward allocation for over 29 years. He praised INEC for upholding the rule of law and ensuring due process in the delineation exercise.