Peter Nwokoro
The Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of violating a Supreme Court judgment by commencing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the constituency without first completing a fresh delineation of wards as ordered by the court.
Addressing a world press conference in Warri, the leaders alleged that INEC’s actions amount to lawlessness, contempt of court, and a deliberate attempt to suppress their democratic rights.
Olorogun Victor Okumagba, one of the signatories, said: “It is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgement for INEC to proceed with voter registration in Warri Federal Constituency when, in the eyes of the law, there are no longer existing electoral wards and units until the fresh delineation is concluded.”
The leaders recalled that INEC, in its post-election report of 1998–1999, admitted that past delineation exercises were flawed and skewed against the Ijaw and Urhobo communities. They argued that this imbalance was one of the triggers of the Warri crises of 1997–1999 and 2002–2003.
They also referenced the warning of late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who in 2003 said: “Believe it or not, INEC is far gone on the path of bringing disaster to our beloved country that, it is very doubtful if it can turn back.”
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On December 2, 2022, the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/413/2016, filed by Hon. George U. Timinimi and others, ordered INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri South-West, Warri South, and Warri North local government areas. Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji ruled that INEC’s failure had created fictitious wards used for electoral manipulation, while Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, now Chief Justice of Nigeria, noted that some voter registration was even done in private homes.
Following the ruling, INEC held several meetings with stakeholders in 2023 and presented a draft report on April 4, 2025, in Asaba. The leaders said five months later, the final report is yet to be released, but INEC has already commenced voter registration in Warri.
Quoting Lord Denning in the 1963 case of UAC Vs McToy, Dr. Joel Bisina stated: “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. Until fresh delineation is concluded, voter registration in Warri Federal Constituency has no legal foundation.”
They demanded immediate release and implementation of the delineation report, warning that they would not stand by while their democratic rights were “fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility.”
The statement was jointly signed by Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Hon. Deinbofa Oweikpodor, Dr. Joel Bisina, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Hon. Frank Pukon, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), Chief David Reje, Comrade (Mrs) Margaret Ikinbor, Chief Monday Keme, Chief John Eranvor, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, and Chief (Mrs) Ann Gagiyovwi (JP).
