FG allow INEC work – Ijaws, Urhobos protest alleged interference in Warri fed constituency
Ijaw and Urhobo Communities Protest Delay in Federal Constituency Delineation
WARRI, Delta State — Indigenous groups from the Ijaw and Urhobo communities staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, addressing the delay in the implementation of a Supreme Court ruling regarding the delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency. The ruling mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out new delineation efforts.
The demonstration took place at the Ogbe-Ijoh market and was led by prominent leaders from the Ijaw and Urhobo communities. Protesters displayed placards demanding that the federal government allow INEC to fulfill its responsibilities without interference. Messages emphasized the need for INEC to respect the rule of law and to implement the delineation approved during a meeting on May 20, 2026, in Asaba.
High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, spokesman for the Gbaramatu Kingdom and one of the protest leaders, presented a list of demands to attendees. He criticized alleged attempts by the Presidency to influence the delineation process, describing this as an infringement on the 1999 Constitution.
According to the protesters, Section 161 of the Constitution grants INEC independence in its operations, asserting that the Presidency has no authority to direct the commission. They referenced a Supreme Court decision in case number SC/413/2016, asserting that all government agencies must execute its orders without delay.
The protesters expressed concern that presidential interference undermines democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria. They argued that claims made by the National Security Adviser regarding national security as a reason for halting the delineation efforts are a pretext for altering results to benefit the Itsekiri ethnic group.
The Ijaw and Urhobo groups urged INEC to abide by the law and to facilitate political parties in conducting primaries for the newly created state constituencies in Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
Members of the Egbema Kingdom in Warri North, for whom a new constituency has been established after a prolonged period of political marginalization, expressed their eagerness to participate in the upcoming 2027 Delta State House of Assembly elections. They asserted that if the Itsekiri community opts not to engage in the election process for the new constituencies, the Ijaws should have the opportunity to proceed with the elections in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment.
