Leaders of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality have unanimously rejected the proposed delineation of wards, polling units, state constituencies, and the creation of an additional constituency in Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They alleged that the exercise was fraught with constitutional, legal, and technical irregularities.
Allegations of Irregularities
The Itsekiri leaders urged the Federal Government to immediately investigate the technical execution and conduct of the delineation exercise, describing it as an embarrassment to the nation. They demanded that, based on electoral voters' baseline data from the 2023 general election, each of the six Itsekiri wards in Warri North and Warri South West should be multiplied by two, as well as the Ijaw's four. This includes Warri North – Itsekiri 12 wards, Ijaw 8 wards; Warri South West – Itsekiri 12 wards. They noted that this will create a fair and equitable resolution for the exercise.
Flawed Data and Supreme Court Judgment
The leaders accused INEC of relying on flawed fieldwork and disputed Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping data in producing the report unveiled in Asaba on May 20, 2026. They said they fully support the Supreme Court judgment directing a fresh delineation exercise in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North local council areas, rejecting what they described as a defective implementation process.
Itsekiri Leaders Speak Out
Itsekiri leaders who spoke at the briefing included Edward Ekpoko, Prince Yemi Emiko, Sir A.S. Mene, Alex Eyengho, and Chief Robinson Ariyo. They stated that Itsekiri people were not opposed to democratic inclusion, electoral reforms, or constitutional compliance, but argued that the proposed delineation violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC's own guidelines on electoral boundary adjustments.
Agbarha Kingdom Dissociates from Ijaw-Okere Urhobo Position
Meanwhile, the leadership of Agbarha Warri Kingdom has publicly dissociated itself from the position recently expressed by the Ijaw of Warri Federal Constituency and leaders of Okere Urhobo Kingdom on the contentious ward delineation exercise conducted by INEC, insisting that it remains opposed to the electoral body's proposed ward structure for Warri South Local Council Area of Delta State.
Clarification on Joint Position
Addressing journalists in Asaba yesterday, the High Chief of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, High Chief Sylvester Ejabor, said the kingdom was compelled to clarify its position following a press briefing aired live on Arise Television, during which Ijaw leaders and representatives of Okere Urhobo Kingdom expressed support for aspects of the ward delineation exercise. Ejabor said the caption and presentation of the briefing created a misleading impression that the views expressed represented a joint position of all Urhobo communities in Warri Federal Constituency, a claim he firmly rejected on behalf of Agbarha Warri Kingdom.
According to him, the Agbarha Warri Kingdom remains steadfast in its earlier rejection of the ward proposal recently released by INEC, particularly objecting to what it described as the naming of wards within Agbarha Warri territory with Ijaw names.
