Tension mounts in Delta as Ijaw, Urhobo protesters storm INEC office, warn against possible break down of law over delay in implementation of Warri Delineation Report

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

Ijaw and Urhobo protesters on Tuesday warned the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order or disruption of oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta if it fails to immediately implement its final report on the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of Warri Federal Constituency.

The groups issued the warning during a protest at INEC’s Delta State headquarters in Asaba. They said it has been almost two weeks since INEC presented the report to stakeholders on May 20, 2026, but implementation has not started as promised. The report, presented by INEC National Commissioner Alhaji Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusuf on behalf of Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, created new registration areas/wards across Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West LGAs, plus two additional state constituencies for Warri North and Warri South-West.

The protesters accused the Presidency of ordering INEC to halt implementation, despite Section 161 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees INEC’s independence. Citing the Supreme Court judgment in SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & Ors v. INEC, they said Section 287(2) of the Constitution makes it mandatory for all agencies to comply with Supreme Court orders without delay. “It is an aberration for INEC to surrender its constitutional independence to the Presidency or any individual,” the statement read.

The groups said the 2027 election timetable is fast approaching and political parties must be directed to hold primaries for the newly created state constituencies. They noted that the Ijaw people of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North LGA, who gained a state constituency after “over a century of political suppression,” are ready to elect candidates. The protesters also alerted the international community that oil operations by companies including Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Shell Offshore SNEPCo, and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited are at risk. They recalled that the relocation of a local government headquarters in Warri between 1997 and 2003 sparked a crisis that escalated into the Niger Delta conflict.

“In conclusion, INEC must only conduct any electoral activity in Warri Federal Constituency based on the final delineation without alteration,” the statement signed on behalf of the Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency said. The groups urged INEC to act fast to prevent what they called “an unnecessary conflict” in the region.