Socio-cultural organisation, the Warri North Itsekiri Rebirth Forum, has rejected the proposed ward delineation matrix allocating 10 wards each to the Itsekiri and Ijaw in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The group said the proposed arrangement does not reflect what it described as the demographic strength and electoral realities of the Itsekiri people in the area.
Speaking in Obitugbo, Warri North, Chairman of the group, Hon. David Edun, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the proposed delineation and called on the National Assembly to scrutinise the process before taking any legislative action.
‘We believe that this proposal is fundamentally flawed and does not reflect the demographic and electoral realities of Warri North LGA. We therefore reject it in its entirety and call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to implement what we consider an unjust arrangement capable of undermining the political rights and democratic aspirations of the Itsekiri people,’ Edun said.
He said INEC was expected to conduct the exercise transparently and in accordance with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.
‘INEC is expected to be an impartial institution that inspires public confidence through fairness, transparency and strict adherence to the Constitution and electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.
Citing figures which the group attributed to INEC’s 2023 Register of Voters, Edun said the Itsekiri-dominated areas of Warri North currently have six wards, comprising 134 polling units and 75,912 registered voters, while Ijaw-dominated areas have four wards, 58 polling units and 34,480 registered voters.
According to him, the figures formed the basis of the group’s objection to the proposed equal allocation.
‘It therefore raises serious questions as to how the commission arrived at an equal allocation of 10 wards each for both ethnic groups. We respectfully urge INEC to explain the methodology used and review the proposed delineation to ensure that it reflects verifiable facts, constitutional principles and its own official records,’ he said.
Edun also called on members of the National Assembly to carefully examine the proposed arrangement.
‘We also urge the distinguished members of the National Assembly to carefully scrutinise the proposed ward delineation before taking any legislative action. As custodians of Nigeria’s laws, members of the National Assembly have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that every process complies with the principles of equity, justice and democratic representation,’ he said.
The group maintained that decisions concerning ward delineation should involve broad consultation with affected communities and relevant stakeholders.
It called for continued engagement among INEC, government authorities and communities in Warri North to ensure that concerns surrounding the exercise are addressed peacefully.
‘We therefore urge government institutions at all levels to engage directly with credible representatives who genuinely enjoy the confidence of the people,’ Edun said.
He reiterated the group’s opposition to the proposal in its current form and called for a review of the exercise.
‘Finally, we wish to state in the clearest possible terms that the Itsekiri Rebirth Forum rejects the proposed ward delineation exercise for Warri North in its present form. We call on INEC to revisit the exercise in accordance with constitutional provisions, verifiable demographic data, and the principles of fairness, equity and justice.
‘We appreciate the efforts of Mr President, the Delta State Government and all well-meaning Nigerians who continue to seek a peaceful and just resolution of the issues surrounding the ward delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency,’ he said.