Cancel, Arrest, Prosecute” – Itsekiris Tackle INEC Over Alleged Delineation Fraud

Stakeholders and community leaders from Warri Federal Constituency have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that the recently conducted ward delineation exercise in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas was fraudulent, unconstitutional, and skewed against the indigenous Itsekiri people.

Speaking nbehalf of the Itsekiri people during a world press conference on Monday, 1st September, Chief Mene Brown stated that the exercise suppressed Itsekiri representation while granting undue advantage to Ijaw and Urhobo communities.

The petitioners accused INEC of creating wards and polling units in nonexistent and imported communities. Supporting their claim with a graphic presentation of coordinates of the area, the Itsekiris cited examples such as Bolouma and Ewein in Warri South, which they argue have no historical existence. They alleged that communities outside the constituency spanning parts of Udu, Burutu, Ughelli South, Arogbo in Ondo State, and even Edo State were wrongly included. They further claimed that some wards were mapped onto open rivers, while others were wrongly attributed to Ijaw settlements despite being Itsekiri locations.

According to the petition, Itsekiri wards were deliberately reduced and merged, while Gbaramatu, an Ijaw area, was increased to nine wards despite being sparsely populated and difficult to access. Also, Ogbe-Ijoh, seemingly larger and more accessible, was allotted only two wards.
“This violates the principle of fairness, equity, and proportional representation,” Chief Mene said.

The petition also questioned the population figures used for the delineation, noting that neither the 2006 census data nor the existing voters’ register formed the basis of INEC’s decision. “On what basis were Ijaw and Urhobo figures inflated while Itsekiri population growth was ignored?”. It added that even Ijaw stakeholders had acknowledged flaws. The petition referenced comments by former militant leader Michael Jonny, who admitted on live television that there was a “3% mistake” in the delineation, an admission the Chief Mene said confirms compromise in the process.

Speaking further, citing sections of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, as well as judicial precedents, the itsekiris argued that the delineation exercise violated constitutional provisions requiring fairness, transparency, and the use of credible data.

The Itsekiris reiterated their call for the immediate nullification of the delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency and demanded a fresh, transparent process based strictly on the 2006 census, the most recent voters’ register, and verifiable indigenous communities.

They also urged INEC to publish the data and methodology used, and to allow community representatives, civil society groups, and independent observers to monitor any fresh delineation exercise.

Beyond nullification, the Itsekiri nation also demanded that all individuals found culpable in the alleged fraudulent delineation be identified, investigated, and prosecuted. They insist the delineation is not just unconstitutional but a criminal act against democracy and peace in Warri Federal Constituency.