Warri Youths Demand Sack of INEC Commissioner Over Alleged Fraud in Ward Delineation

Warri youths have called for the immediate removal of Rhoda Gumus, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner for Cross River, Edo, and Delta states, following accusations of fraud in the recent Ward Delineation process for the Warri Federal Constituency.

The demand follows protests that erupted on Monday, after an announcement of new ward and polling unit boundaries by INEC last Friday. The boundaries were revealed after a Supreme Court ruling aimed at reorganising electoral constituencies. However, the itsekiris communities in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas (LGAs) have rejected the report, accusing the delineation process of being flawed and not reflective of their cultural and historical identities.

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Protesters argue that the boundaries disregard the unique demographic makeup of the region, particularly the Itsekiris, who believe their interests have been sidelined. They have called for INEC to withdraw its proposed boundaries and carry out a more inclusive and culturally sensitive review.

Rhoda Gumus, a professor of chemical engineering from Bayelsa State, was appointed as an INEC Commissioner by former President Muhammadu Buhari and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in February 2022. However, her appointment has been contentious, with opposition parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), raising concerns about her impartiality due to her alleged ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

These issues have come to the forefront again amid the ongoing dispute.

Meanwhile, the protests have intensified in the affected areas, with demonstrators demanding immediate action from INEC. Community leaders are calling for a revision of the ward and polling unit boundaries to ensure that the interests of the ethnic groups are properly represented.

As the protests continue, INEC is under pressure to address the grievances of the affected communities and reconsider its proposals for the Warri Federal Constituency.