Group expresses concern over delay in Warri constituency delineation report

A socio-cultural group, Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders (ORINC), on Monday protested at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, demanding the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State. The protesters, who carried placards and submitted a formal petition to the commission, […]

A socio-cultural group, Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders (ORINC), on Monday protested at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, demanding the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State.

The protesters, who carried placards and submitted a formal petition to the commission, accused INEC of delaying the implementation of a delineation exercise already conducted in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.

Speaking during the protest, a member of ORINC, Comrade Freeborn Abraye, said the group was at the commission’s headquarters for the second time over the matter.

According to him, INEC had earlier assured them that the concerns and petitions surrounding the delineation exercise would be reviewed, but no action had been taken more than a year later.

“My fellow comrades and I are here today on one clear mission: to call on INEC to implement the Supreme Court-ordered delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency,” he said.

Abraye said the Supreme Court directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation exercise in the constituency to address what he described as longstanding political imbalance and unfair representation among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups.

“For years, political opportunities and representation were concentrated in the hands of one ethnic group, while the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups remained marginalized and underrepresented,” he stated.

He added that representatives of all the ethnic groups in the constituency participated in the delineation exercise conducted by INEC, describing the process as transparent and participatory.

“Now, after carrying out the exercise and producing the report, INEC has refused to implement its own findings. That is why we are here today: to demand the implementation of that report,” Abraye said.

He warned that tension was rising in the constituency ahead of future elections because the political structure for what he termed fair representation had yet to be implemented.

“This is not about politics or ethnic sentiment. It is about justice, fairness, democratic representation, and respect for due process and the rule of law,” he added.

Another member of the group, Comrade Ellington Bakumor, said the protesters could no longer continue to “beg for rights that are already guaranteed by law and affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

Bakumor said INEC had complied with the apex court judgment by conducting the delineation exercise with representatives from the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups.

“Throughout the process, there were representatives from all sides. There were no protests and no objections during the exercise. The complaints only started after the results were released because the outcome reflected fairness and balance,” he said.

He questioned why the commission had yet to implement the report.

“So today, we ask: what exactly is the problem? Why is INEC delaying the implementation of its own report? Why are our people still being denied fair representation?” he asked.

Bakumor alleged that political interests were interfering with the process and warned that continued delays could heighten frustration among residents of the constituency.

“The people of Warri Federal Constituency are tired of marginalization. We want justice. We want fairness. We want equal political representation,” he said.

Also speaking, another ORINC member, Comrade Jonny Torrus, urged that the issue be resolved peacefully and lawfully to guarantee credible elections in the constituency.

“We sincerely hope this issue is resolved peacefully and lawfully. We want elections to hold in an atmosphere of fairness, inclusion, and legitimacy. But that can only happen when justice is done and every group feels properly represented,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the commission, Mohammed Hamma, Assistant Director of Security at INEC, confirmed receipt of the group’s petition and assured the protesters that it would be forwarded to the commission’s leadership.

“You have submitted your document, and we have officially received and acknowledged it,” Hamma said.

He explained that the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners were out of town on official assignments but assured the protesters that their concerns would be reviewed.

“I therefore appeal to you to remain patient. INEC is committed to doing its best to address concerns appropriately and ensure that due process is followed wherever necessary,” he stated.

“Please expect an official response from the Chairman regarding the issues raised in your document,” Hamma added.