INEC: Final Decision on Delineation of Warri Wards Constituency Not Taken Yet

•Ijaw storm commission, demand immediate implementation of Supreme Court order

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),has said contrary to speculations, it was yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement appealed to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to the misleading narratives about the proposed delineation of Wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgement delivered on 2nd December 2022.”

Olumekun said following the Supreme Court judgement, the Commission embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024 involving all the critical stakeholders, followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three Local Government Areas culminating in the production of a draft report.

He added that the Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week on Friday 4th April 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue.

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

“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.”

Nevertheless, members of federal constituency, yesterday, stormed the headquarters of INEC in Abuja, where they demanded the immediate implementation of Supreme Court order.

The constituents, who were from the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Warri, Delta state were armed with placards with various inscriptions like: “We appreciate INEC; Go and verify, INEC please complete supreme Court directive; INEC, thank you for yielding to the voice of the people,” among others.

Leader of the protesters, Chief David Reje commended the commission for committing itself to the rule of law and the principles of good governance.

He also dismissed reports that all the stakeholders were not consulted before INEC kick-started the delineation.