By Deborah Coker
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to complete the fresh units and ward delineation process in the Warri Federal Constituency.
Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Global President, INC, made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
His appeal is in response to INEC’s refutal of the suspension of the delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency.
He said that the exercise should be in strict compliance with the Supreme Court order, adding that any further delay was unacceptable.
The INC commended INEC for the prompt refutal of the reported suspension of Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise.
“We insist that continuous voters’ registration cannot be done in a constituency that has no wards, polling units and registration areas.
“The INC therefore appeal for the immediate completion of the fresh units and ward delineation process by INEC in strict compliance with the Supreme Court Order.”
The INC global president also called on the President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the international community to take appropriate actions to forestall further attacks by the Itsekiris on Ijaws and Urhobos.
“To achieve this, the president should immediately prompt INEC to announce the results of their completed job and uphold the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.
“The National Assembly should invoke its constitutional powers to summon the NSA and the INEC Chairman to explain their decision to continue registering voters in blatant subversion of a Supreme Court order.
“he International Community should prevail on the Federal Government and INEC to obey the Rule of Law,” he said.
Okaba further urged the Ijaw nation, to remain calm but resolute in vigilance.
“The Supreme Court has spoken and clearly so.
“There are No electoral units and wards in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta until the results of the concluded fresh delineation exercise are announced.
“Let the will of the highest court in the land be done.”
NAN reports that in a statement on Monday signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the proposed delineation has not been suspended and no final decision has been taken on the matter.
Olumekun also clarified that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise is proceeding as planned across all the local government areas within the affected constituency.
INEC further urged all stakeholders involved in the matter to remain calm and peaceful while the process continues.
“We appeal to all the parties connected to the matter to continue to maintain the peace in the area,” Olumekun said.
NAN reports that the Supreme Court had, on Dec. 2, 2022, ordered the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.
In response, INEC began stakeholder consultations in February 2023 and completed fieldwork by July 2024. A draft delineation report was presented to community leaders during a meeting in Warri on April 4, 2025.
(NAN)