By Austin Ogwuda
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has declared that it has not taken a final decision on the delineation of Wards in Warri Federal Constituency, an exercise the Commission commenced recently.
Amidst protests, the Commission appeared to have doused tension by coming out with a well-worded press release clarifying the situation of things.
This was contained in a press release this Thursday morning and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun obtained by The Townhall.
It reads:
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSED DELINEATION OF WARDS IN THE WARRI FEDERAL CONSITUENCY BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT
Our attention has been drawn to the misleading narratives about the proposed delineation of Wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgement delivered on 2nd December 2022.
Following the Supreme Court judgement, the Commission embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024 involving all the critical stakeholders, followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three Local Government Areas culminating in the production of a draft report.
The Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week on Friday 4th April 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue. The purpose was to give them the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have. The overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved.
Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the Commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.
We urge representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their obesrvations on the draft report which will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter.
Meanwhile, we appeal to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area. The Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.
Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee
Thursday 10th April 2025
Recall that hoodlums reportedly shot one person dead and razed several houses located at Odion Road, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State on Sunday, ostensibly due to anger over the delineation exercise.
There have also been protests by some Itsekiri youths who feel they have been politically shortchanged by INEC.
Photo caption: One of the buildings torched amidst protests
