The good People of Ijaw and Urhobo Leaders and stakeholders in the Warri Federal Constituency have expressed displeasure over what they painfully described as the INEC unexplained delay in implementing the final report on the Supreme Court-ordered on the fresh delineation of wards in the federal constituency.
The Peaceful protesters, who gathered in Warri said the delay has raised serious distrust and confidence and has brought fresh concerns about the commitment of the electoral commission to uphold the rule of law and comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the group recalled that INEC had on May 20, 2026, presented its final delineation report to stakeholders in Asaba, where the commission announced the creation of 20 Registration Areas/Electoral Wards across Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Area.
According to the Warri Ijaw and Urhobo protesters, INEC’s representative at the event, National Commissioner Alhaji Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusuf, had stated that the commission’s decision was final and would be implemented immediately.
The commission had also announced the creation of two additional state constituencies in Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas and assured stakeholders that political parties would be directed to conduct primaries for the newly created constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, more than a week after the presentation, the protesters lamented that no concrete steps had been taken by the electoral body to commence implementation of the report.
“We are shocked that despite INEC’s clear commitment to immediate implementation, nothing has happened. The commission has remained silent while crucial timelines for the 2027 elections continue to draw closer,” the protesters said.
The group warned that the continued delay could jeopardise preparations for the 2027 elections and create uncertainty for political parties, candidates and voters within the Warri Federal Constituency.
They argued that with the deadline for political parties to submit candidates for the 2027 elections approaching, INEC’s failure to activate the new electoral structures could undermine the electoral process and deny affected communities the benefits of the Supreme Court judgment.
The protesters further alleged that external forces may be responsible for the delay, insisting that the commission must resist any pressure capable of compromising its constitutional independence.
They called on INEC to immediately commence implementation of the final delineation report and direct political parties to begin the nomination process for the newly created constituencies without further delay.
According to the group, any attempt to postpone, alter or suspend the implementation of the report would amount to a betrayal of the expectations of the people and a dangerous setback for democratic governance in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The protesters maintained that the integrity of the electoral process and public confidence in democratic institutions depend on INEC’s willingness to faithfully implement its own final report and comply fully with the Supreme Court’s directives.
