Olorogun Victor Okumagba J.P. has raised concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) alleged defiance of a Supreme Court judgment mandating fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State.
Speaking at the Ijaw/Urhobo World Press Conference on ward delineation, Okumagba spoke on behalf of the Ijaw and Urhobo people of the constituency, saying,
“It is with great sadness yet unbroken resolve that we the undersigned representatives of the indigenous Ijaws and Urhobo people of Wari Federal Constituency bring to your attention the alarming plan of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to undermine and debase the rule of law, suppress and strangulate our fundamental democratic rights, to participate in the electoral processes, and to unconscionably deal a dead blow to democracy in Wari Federal Constituency of Delta State.”
He criticised INEC for failing to rectify historical imbalances dating back to the 1999 elections, which he said were “grossly skewed against the Ijo and Robo indigenous people of Wari Federal Constituency.”
According to him, INEC had previously admitted flaws in its processes, stating, “We INEC are not unaware that some of the previous exercises did not follow the relevant laws and guidelines, resulting in skewed results in some instances. These were obviously designed to satisfy certain selfish interests. Such imbalance will be redressed using laid-down criteria.”
Okumagba emphasised that despite a Supreme Court judgment delivered on 2nd December 2022 in Hon. George Yotiminimi & Others vs. INEC, INEC has failed to comply. Quoting the court’s ruling, he said,
“The applicant case is that the respondent, who is statutorily empowered to delineate local government in Nigeria into wards and units for the purpose of conducting elections into the elective positions or offices, have not properly delineated Warri South-West, Warri South, and Warri North local government areas. In accordance with the statutory requirements that subsequent upon the failure, there exist fictitious wards and units used as instruments of electoral manipulation and subversion in the popular wish of the people during elections.”
The Supreme Court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh delineation, but Okumagba alleged that the electoral body has failed to release and implement the report submitted on 4th April 2025. He said,
“In cross-violation of the Supreme Court judgment, we are fully convinced that INEC’s seemingly compromised independence, lack of resolve and vulnerability to selfish external influence has delayed the release and implementation of this crucial report.”
Okumagba also accused INEC of being influenced by “external forces,” saying, “It has come to our knowledge that some external forces are midwifing INEC, who has the constitutional responsibility to delineate what only INEC can delineate, what no other agency of government is empowered by the constitution of the Federal Government in 1999 as amended.”
He warned that any ongoing voter registration in Warri Federal Constituency is illegal, given that the Supreme Court nullified the existing ward structure.
“There is nothing like 10 and 12 wards in Warri Federal Constituency until a new ward structure that was proposed by INEC is released and implemented,” he stated.
Quoting legal precedent, he added, “According to Lord Denny, in the landmark case of UAC v. MacFoy (1962), you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. So any registration INEC is doing now is an effort in word futility.”
Okumagba concluded with a demand that INEC immediately release and implement the delineation report, warning that the Ijaw and Urhobo people would not remain silent: “Our irrevocable demand and conclusion, INEC should immediately with emphasis release and implement the report best thinkingly embarked upon by state bodies of Warri Federal Constituency. We shall not idly stand by and watch our democratic rights and freshers flitted away by INEC and this disastrous irresponsibility.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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