The Itsekiri ethnic nationality has outrightly condemned the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We do not only condemn it, we reject it in its entirety because the fears we expressed earlier at the commencement of the exercise—that INEC would not be equitable, fair, and just—have been proven right. The report has shown that INEC is biased,” said Sir Amorighoye S. Mene, Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought.
Speaking to newsmen in Asaba over the weekend about the outcome of the recent delineation exercise conducted in Warri North, Warri South-West, and Warri South Council Areas, Sir Mene stated that under the new arrangement, wards and polling units in Itsekiri-dominated areas were reduced to favour the Ijaws and Urhobos.
According to him, INEC reduced the wards in the Itsekiri area of Warri North from six to four, while those in the Ijaw axis increased from four to ten wards.
Similarly, he noted that wards in Ijaw areas of Warri South-West were increased from five to fourteen, while the six wards in the Itsekiri area were reduced from six to five.
Regarding Warri South Council Area, the Secretary revealed that in an earlier delineation, INEC reduced the wards in Itsekiri areas from eight to six, while the Urhobo area increased from two to six.
Sir Mene stated that the Itsekiri Leaders challenged the exercise in court, which ordered the electoral umpire to revert to the status quo, adding that “despite our cries, INEC refused to enforce the judgement.”
“Today, in the recent delineation in the local government area, the Itsekiris have been given eight wards, Urhobos ten, and Ijaws two. Ijaws, from the beginning, have no presence in Warri South. They vote but do not have homogeneous territory in the area.”
The Secretary explained that the number of registered voters determines the creation of wards and polling units, questioning why Itsekiri areas with more voters now have fewer wards and polling units.
“If you look at the voting strength in Warri North, for example, the Itsekiris have a total of 75,912 voters with 134 polling units, while the Ijaws have 38,480 voters, as contained in the INEC register used to conduct elections since 1999,” he said. “In Warri South-West, the Ijaws have 95,046 voters with 157 polling units, while the Itsekiris, with 175 wards, have 94,974 voters.”
Sir Amorighoye stated that the delineation was part of an agenda against the Itsekiri people and warned against the potential for fresh crises in the Warri area due to INEC’s actions, especially at a time when communities displaced during the Warri crises are beginning to fully settle down.
“We are the highest oil-producing area in Delta. We are peace-loving people, but this act is like poking fingers into our eyes, and we will resist it with everything we have.
“Delineation is due nationwide according to the Supreme Court, and it is supposed to be done every ten years. INEC should go and delineate wards across the country, but because they have an agenda, they made Warri Federal Constituency the only place they want to delineate because they want to give what belongs to us to the Ijaw nation,” the Secretary said.
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