ILOT Faults Inec Warri Delineation Proposal

The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) has rejected the fresh delineation of wards, polling units, state constituencies and an additional federal constituency proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Warri Federal Constituency.

In a statement issued by the group’s Secretary, Sir Amorighoye Mene, ILOT described the process that produced the proposal as fraudulent, alleging that the fieldwork and GIS mapping carried out by INEC failed to comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the commission’s guidelines for electoral delineation.

According to the group, although it welcomed the creation of two additional state constituencies and one federal constituency, the composition of the proposed structure was based on what it described as previously rejected data released by INEC in April 2025.

“While we welcome the creation of two additional state constituencies and one federal constituency, the devil is in the details/composition. The composition is based on the earlier rejected fraudulent data released by INEC on April 4, 2025, at Asaba in Delta State,” the statement read.

ILOT maintained that while the Supreme Court had directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation exercise in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas, the apex court did not declare the existing wards, polling units or voter register as fictitious.

ILOT also faulted the technical integrity of the exercise, citing findings by independent GIS and survey experts which allegedly showed that some polling units were mapped outside their designated local government areas and in non-habitable locations, including rivers, forests and parts of Edo and Ondo states.

The group called on the Federal Government to investigate the delineation exercise and sanction any officials found culpable of compromising the process.

“We remain committed to fairness, constitutional order, justice, and the peaceful coexistence of all ethnic nationalities within the Warri Federal Constituency,” the statement added, while urging all stakeholders to remain peaceful and pursue lawful engagement as consultations continue.