JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Hundreds of Ijaw indigenes of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State on Monday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja, urging immediate implementation of the Supreme Court-backed zoning report in the region.
The demonstrators, operating under the banner of Operation Rescue the Crusaders of the Ijaw Nation, accused the Election Commission of failing to take action despite earlier assurances that the issue would be resolved.
They warned that continued delays in implementing the report could threaten the conduct of future elections in the constituency.
Speaking to journalists during the demonstration, the Deputy Coordinator of the group, Freeborn Abraye, said the protest was aimed at forcing INEC to comply with the apex court ruling directing the implementation of the new delineation in Warri Federal Constituency.
“I and my colleagues are here to appeal to INEC to implement the delineation report ordered by the Supreme Court for Warri Federal Constituency. This is the second time we have come here. The first time, INEC told us that they would reply to us positively, but more than a year later, there has been no action,” he said.
Abraye explained that the Supreme Court had mandated INEC to change the ward and voting structure in the constituency following complaints about political imbalance involving the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnic groups.
Also read: Rivers APC purges Wike-Blok MPs, rejects 65 after screening exercise
He accused the Ijaw and Urhobo communities of remaining politically disadvantaged for years, while the Itsekiri group allegedly enjoyed disproportionate representation.
“The Supreme Court directed INEC to undertake a new delineation effort, and it did. However, after its implementation, INEC refused to implement the report. We are here to ask INEC to implement it,” he added.
The protest leader argued that the delay fueled political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is a matter of justice, democratic representation and respect for the legal process. INEC conducted this exercise in collaboration with representatives of three ethnic groups. So why is the commission afraid to implement the report it has prepared?” he asked.
Abraye further stated that residents of the constituency were also excluded from recent Continuous Voter Registration activities, and alleged a deliberate attempt to suppress their political participation.
“We are not second class citizens in this country. The Ijaw Federal Constituency in Warri has been marginalized for more than two decades. It took more than 10 years before the Supreme Court finally gave this order, and now INEC wants to take away our rights again,” he said.
He warned that the group’s patience was running out and hinted that future actions might be more intense.
“If the delineation report is not implemented, there will be no elections in Warri Federal Constituency. We stand for fairness and justice,” he added.
Another protest leader, Ellington Bakumor, accused the electoral body of delaying implementation despite the inclusiveness of the delineation process.
“The result was fair because all parties were involved. So what’s the problem? Why is INEC taking away our rights?” he asked.
Bakumor also alleged that political interests influenced the commission’s indecision and warned that peaceful elections may not be guaranteed if the issue is not resolved.
“We are tired of begging. This is the second time we have come here from Warri to Abuja to ask INEC to do the needful. If INEC fails to act, we can no longer guarantee elections in Warri Federal Constituency,” he said.
In a petition submitted to INEC and supported by the group’s coordinator, Awipi Lawson, the protesters said their action was intended to defend the rule of law through the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 2, 2022, in Hon. George Timinimi & Others v. INEC (SC.413/2016).
Based on the petition, the top court directed INEC to carry out the delineation of new and constitutionally compliant wards and polling units across the Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local government areas.
The group stated that the decree also prohibits elections and other election activities in the constituency pending the completion and implementation of the boundary delimitation process.
They noted that although INEC conducted the exercise and issued a field report on April 4, 2025, the commission is yet to undertake or formally issue a final report.
The protesters urged the election body to immediately publish and implement the report, complete the confirmation process and stop any election activities in the constituency until implementation is fully implemented.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Mohammed Ahmad, Assistant Director of Security at the commission, explained that the chairman and national commissioner were away on official duties but assured the protesters that their petition would receive attention.
“Whatever is wrong, we will try to fix it. Expect the Chairman’s response regarding this document,” said Ahmad.
