2027: Ijaw, Urhobo Leaders Warn INEC—No Election in Warri Without Fresh Ward Delineationg

 

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By Wilson Macaulay

Warri, Delta State — Rising political tension is gripping the Warri Federal Constituency as leaders of the indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities have issued a firm and unequivocal warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring that there will be no election in the constituency during the 2027 general polls if the commission fails to release and implement the report on fresh ward delineation.

The declaration, which has sent shockwaves across Delta State’s political landscape, was made during a high-profile world press conference held at KFT Event Centre in Warri South Local Government Area. The event drew a broad coalition of political stakeholders, traditional voices, community leaders, women groups, and youth representatives from both ethnic blocs, all united in a common demand for electoral justice and equitable representation.

Unified Stand by Leaders

Delivering a strongly worded joint communiqué on behalf of the stakeholders, Olorogun Victor Okumagba emphasized that the agitation was rooted in legality, fairness, and respect for constitutional order. He was flanked by an array of influential leaders including Dr. Joel Bisina, High Chief Dr. Godspower T. D. A. Gbenekama (Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom), Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Hon. Frank Pukon, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori, Chief David Reje, Comrade (Mrs.) Margaret Ikinbor, Chief Monday Keme, Chief John Eranvo, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Mrs. Ann Gagiyovwi, and Chief Vero Tangbavei, among others.

The leaders recalled that the issue of ward delineation in Warri Federal Constituency dates back nearly two decades, culminating in a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Suit No. SC/413/2006, which mandated INEC to carry out a fresh delineation of electoral wards to reflect demographic and geographic realities.

According to them, while INEC has reportedly completed the technical process of delineation in compliance with the court order, the refusal to publicly release and implement the report has continued to generate suspicion, anger, and a sense of systemic marginalization among indigenous communities.

“Not a Threat, But a Consequence”

In a tone that blended restraint with determination, Okumagba cautioned against trivializing their position, stressing that the consequences of continued inaction by INEC would be far-reaching.

“This is not a threat,” he declared. “It is a statement of reality. The Ijaw and Urhobo people have followed due process. We went to court, obtained judgment, and INEC has carried out the delineation exercise. What remains is for them to do the needful. If they fail, we will have no option but to ensure that there is no election in Warri Federal Constituency in 2027.”

He further warned that the people were prepared to deploy all legitimate means to resist any attempt to conduct elections under what they described as an unjust and outdated ward structure.

Allegations of Institutional Bias

The stakeholders accused INEC of compromising its neutrality through what they described as “institutional bias, administrative cowardice, and deliberate delay.” They argued that the continued withholding of the delineation report effectively disenfranchises large segments of the indigenous population, thereby undermining democratic principles.

According to the communiqué, the delay has also fueled suspicion of political interference and ethnic favoritism, factors they say have historically contributed to unrest in the Warri axis.

Observers note that Warri, a multi-ethnic hub comprising Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri populations, has witnessed episodes of tension in the past, often linked to disputes over political representation, ward allocation, and resource control.

Call for Urgent Intervention

In a unanimous resolution, the leaders called on INEC to immediately publish and implement the delineation report without further delay. They emphasized that the exercise was conducted after extensive fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and technical mapping by INEC’s spatial department.

“A stitch in time saves nine,” the statement read, warning that failure to act promptly could trigger avoidable unrest and destabilize the fragile peace currently prevailing in the region.

Maps and technical documents presented at the briefing were said to provide clear evidence that the delineation exercise had indeed been concluded, thereby raising further questions about the commission’s reluctance to move to the implementation phase.

Women and Youths Amplify Demand

Adding their voices to the agitation, women and youth leaders from both ethnic nationalities stressed that the issue transcends politics and touches on identity, inclusion, and future stability.

Chief (Mrs.) Onome Okumagba of Okere Urhobo Kingdom described the delay as unacceptable, urging authorities to act before tensions spiral out of control.

“Our children deserve a future where fairness prevails,” she said. “We cannot continue to be sidelined in a system that is supposed to represent all of us equally.”

Youth representatives echoed similar sentiments, warning that prolonged inaction could erode trust in democratic institutions and provoke civil resistance.

A Defining Moment for INEC

Political analysts view the unfolding development as a critical test of INEC’s credibility and its commitment to upholding the rule of law. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the Warri situation presents a potential flashpoint that could have wider implications for electoral stability in Delta State and beyond.

The insistence by Ijaw and Urhobo leaders on “no delineation, no election” underscores the depth of frustration and signals a hardening of positions that may not be easily reversed without decisive intervention.

Eyes on the Federal Authorities

As tensions continue to build, attention is now shifting to federal authorities and relevant stakeholders to mediate and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.

Whether INEC will act swiftly to defuse the situation or allow it to escalate into a full-blown electoral crisis remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the people of Warri Federal Constituency are no longer willing to accept delays on an issue they consider fundamental to their political existence.

For now, the message from Warri is loud and unmistakable: implement the ward delineation report—or risk a constitutional standoff in 2027.