The Ijaw and Urhobo nationalities of the Federal Constituency of Warri called on the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to speed up and end a new demarcation of election wards and poll units ordered by the Supreme Court.
Amid growing tensions in the region, the groups warn that election activities should not be continued until the process is completed.
It was reported that representatives of two ethnic groups from Warri North, Warri South and Southwest Warri local government areas expressed satisfaction with the INEC’s on-site work report on the demarcation exercise.
They said the report reflects the local demographic reality.
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This is included in a statement signed by Ijaw Leaders Hon. Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, Gay Sheriff Mulade, Hon. (Chief) Arthur Akpodubakaye, Dr. Joel Bisina, Comrade Emmanuel Igetei. Urhobo leader, Cheef John Eranvor, JP Chief Westham Adehor, Olerogun Victor Okugba, JP, Hon. Mark Ikpuri.
Despite legal opposition to Itsekiri ethnic nationality, these groups praised INEC for complying with the rule of law.
Ijaws and Urhobos firmly rejected Itsekiris’ call to use pre-existing voter registrations in the demarcation process.
They insist that such records are invalid by the Supreme Court’s ruling and that population data and settlement patterns should guide demarcation.
These organizations further claimed that certain ITSEKIRI elements attempted to undermine the process by ransomware INEC, disrupting oil operations and using media campaigns. “Worry is not a playground for political experiments. The federal government cannot allow history to repeat itself,” they warned.
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The groups said in a worded paragraph: “The INEC field trip confirmed that ijaws constitute the majority in the north and southwest of Vori, while Uhobos is the majority in the south of Vori. This truth must guide the electoral boundaries.”
The groups also raised serious security concerns for recent reports that individuals, including a service British Army official, were arrested for attempting to smuggle weapons into the federal constituency of Warrie to disrupt the demarcation process. They commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies for thwarting the plot and called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of all involved.
Leaders urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to succumb to pressure or blackmail from any group trying to stop or change the demarcation results, warning that any deviation from the Supreme Court directive could lead to new racial tensions.
