Ijaw and Urhobo leaders in Warri Federal Constituency, yesterday, warned that no election would be held in the area in 2027 unless the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) implements the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri.

At a press briefing, the ethnic nationalities accused the INEC of colluding with “conservative forces” to sustain what they tagged ‘minority rule over the majority.’

In a joint statement signed by Dr Joel Bisina, Oloroogun Victor Okumagba and 15 other leaders, including Dr Godspower Gbenekama, the Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, they declared not to stand by and watch democratic rights eroded by INEC’s inaction.”

They referred to the Supreme Court judgment of December 2, 2022, in Suit No. SC/413/2016, George U. Timinimi& Ors vs INEC, which compelled the commission to “conduct a fresh delineation of all electoral wards/polling units” for Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North councils.

“In the eyes of the law, there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units in Warri until the fresh exercise is concluded,” the statement declared. “It is criminal, illegal and contemptuous to register voters on nothing. According to Lord Denning: ‘You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.'”

The leaders said INEC’s inaction mirrors a pattern of ignored peace reports in Warri since 1993, citing unimplemented recommendations from the Justice Nnaemeka Agu Commission, the Justice Alhassan Idoko Inquiry, the Gen. T.Y. Danjuma Task Force, and others. They said INEC may have been compromised.

The groups warned that denying communities the ballot would force them to “seek other roads,” adding: “That is not a threat. That is history.”