BREAKING: Court Orders INEC to Release Final Report Of Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Exercise

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The Federal High Court in Warri has directed INEC to carry out the Supreme Court’s order on redrawing electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Delivering the ruling on Friday morning, the court stated that INEC must execute the Supreme Court’s decision covering Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West LGAs in Delta State before any 2027 election activities can lawfully take place in the constituency.

The ruling came in response to a case instituted by Urhobo leaders—Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/31/2026, CHIEF WESTHAM ADEHOR & ORS V. INEC—over INEC’s failure to act promptly on the Supreme Court’s directive.

According to the plaintiffs, INEC’s ongoing refusal to finalize and publish the new ward delineation constitutes a direct defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling and weakens respect for the rule of law.

The matter stems from the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in SC/413/2016, Hon. George U. Timimini & Ors v. INEC, which mandated a fresh delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency for future polls.

The court also noted that efforts to halt the process may be dangerous. It also struck out a suit filed by Itsekiri interests.

The ruling represents a significant turn in the Warri ward delineation dispute ahead of 2027.