Tension Heightens As Ijaw Women Mount Pressure on INEC, Demand Implementation of Warri Delineation Report

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Despite the peace meeting held in Delta State government house yesterday, the women from several Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Tuesday staged protests at various oil flow stations, demanding the immediate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ward and polling unit delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency.

The protesters, who gathered in large numbers at strategic oil facilities within the area, expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as delays in enforcing the outcome of the ward and polling unit delineation exercise conducted by INEC.

They carried placards with various inscriptions, the women insisted that the delineation report reflects the realities on the ground and should be implemented without further delay. They argued that the exercise was carried out by the electoral body in line with its constitutional mandate and should not be subjected to unnecessary political interference.

The demonstrators maintained that the implementation of the report is crucial to ensuring fairness, equity, and adequate representation for communities within the Warri Federal Constituency.
Speaking during the protest, some of the women leaders warned that their agitation would continue until the electoral commission and relevant authorities take concrete steps toward implementing the delineation outcome.

They stressed that the people of the affected communities have waited patiently for the report to be put into effect and expressed concern that continued delays could heighten tensions in the area.
The protesters also called on the Federal Government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to support the implementation process in the interest of peace, justice, and democratic representation.

Despite the protests, the women conducted themselves peacefully while reiterating their commitment to pursuing their demands through lawful means. They vowed to sustain the demonstrations until the ward and polling unit delineation report is fully implemented across the Warri Federal Constituency.

The INEC delineation exercise has remained a subject of intense debate among stakeholders in the Warri Federal Constituency, with different groups expressing varying positions on the outcome of the exercise. However, the protesting women insisted that the report must be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law.