Warri Delineation: Protesters of Ijaw, Urhobo Demand Immediate Implementation of INEC Report, Warn Against Presidency Interference

•Raises Alarm of Threat to Rule of Law

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

Ijaw and Urhobo protesters have raised alarm over what they describe as “external interference” by the Presidency in the implementation of INEC’s final report on the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, warning that the delay threatens democracy and the rule of law in Delta State.

In a joint press Conference on Monday, June 1, 2026 in Warri, both ethnic groups recalled that on May 20, 2026, INEC released its final report on the delineation to stakeholders in Asaba. INEC National Commissioner, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusuf, who represented the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, reportedly told stakeholders the presentation was the Commission’s decision and would be implemented immediately. The report created 20 new Registration Areas/Electoral Wards across Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West LGAs, and added two new state constituencies for Warri North and Warri South West to improve representation.

However, ten days after the presentation, the Ijaw and Urhobo protesters said INEC had yet to commence implementation despite the 2027 election timetable drawing nearby. They alleged, “in good authority,” that the delay was caused by an order from the Presidency directing INEC to put the implementation on hold. The groups condemned the action, describing it as a direct attack on Section 161 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees INEC’s independence, and Section 287(2) which mandates all agencies to obey Supreme Court judgments without delay.

The protesters referenced the Supreme Court judgment in SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & Ors v. INEC, which ordered the fresh delineation. They argued that the Office of the National Security Adviser to halt the process, a directive from the first lady was a subterfuge meant to alter the report in favor of the Itsekiri ethnic group. According to them, the new delineation already made concessions to Itsekiri by increasing their wards from 4 to 7 in Warri South West and from 8 to 10 in Warri North, “despite the fact that their population does not justify the increment.” They also drew parallels to the 1952 Western Region government’s decision to change the Itsekiri monarch’s title from “Olu of Itsekiri” to “Olu of Warri,” calling it another example of ethnic bias in Warri’s administration.

The groups demanded that INEC immediately direct political parties to conduct primaries for the newly created state constituencies in Warri North and Warri South West LGAs ahead of the 2027 general elections. They stressed that the Egbema Kingdom in Warri North, for whom the new constituency was created after “over a century of political suppression,” is ready to participate.

“INEC must only conduct any subsequent electoral activity in Warri Federal Constituency based on the result of the final delineation presented without any alteration,” the statement read.

The protesters of the Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency, further warned that altering the May 20 report could trigger a repeat of the 1997–2003 Warri crisis, which was sparked by the relocation of Warri South West local government headquarters.