The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faced a peaceful protest at its Abuja headquarters from representatives of Urhobo and Ijaw communities in Delta State, highlighting the commission’s delayed implementation of a Supreme Court order concerning electoral ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency. The protesters, hailing from Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West Local Government Areas, voiced their concerns through a petition presented to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. They argued that the ongoing voter registration exercise, conducted without the legally mandated electoral structures, infringed upon their constitutional rights and disregarded the Supreme Court’s December 2, 2022 judgment. The petition emphasized the communities’ awareness of potential attempts to obstruct the delineation process and urged INEC to finalize the implementation of the Supreme Court order. The protesters underscored their commitment to ensuring their voting rights are protected and declared their intention to continue their presence at INEC headquarters until a resolution is reached.
The core issue revolves around the Supreme Court’s directive to INEC to redraw electoral ward boundaries in the Warri Federal Constituency due to allegations of unequal representation and imbalance. INEC initiated consultations with stakeholders in February 2023, culminating in fieldwork completion by July 2024. A preliminary delineation report was then presented to community leaders on April 4, 2025, in Warri. INEC subsequently clarified that the report was provisional and subject to further review based on stakeholder feedback. However, the delay in finalizing the delineation exercise, coupled with the commencement of nationwide voter registration, has spurred anxieties among the affected communities, leading them to believe they are being disenfranchised. The protesters stressed that, in the absence of legally recognized wards and units, they are effectively unable to participate in the ongoing voter registration.
The petition submitted to INEC detailed the communities’ frustration and apprehension regarding the perceived disregard for their democratic rights. They commended INEC’s initial efforts in conducting fieldwork and formulating a draft delineation report, acknowledging the commission’s resilience in navigating potential obstacles. However, they expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay in finalizing the process, viewing the commencement of voter registration without the established electoral structures as a direct affront to the judiciary and their fundamental right to vote. The petitioners asserted their determination to resist any attempts to undermine their electoral participation and called on INEC to uphold the Supreme Court judgment and ensure their inclusion in the democratic process.
Responding to the protest, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, and Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on behalf of the commission. Prof. Zuru commended the peaceful nature of the protest and assured the demonstrators that their concerns would receive due consideration. He reiterated INEC’s commitment to ensuring the participation of all eligible Nigerians in the electoral process, emphasizing that disenfranchisement would constitute a dereliction of duty. The protesters, represented by Ijaw leader David Jere, articulated their frustration over INEC’s perceived inaction following the completion of the delineation process. They stressed the urgency of releasing the final report to enable their participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise. Another protester underscored the legal ramifications of INEC’s current actions, asserting that the Supreme Court judgment effectively nullified the existing wards and units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
INEC’s statement following the presentation of the draft delineation report in April 2025 emphasized the provisional nature of the document and encouraged stakeholders to submit their observations. The commission pledged to use this feedback to inform further engagement on the matter and appealed for calm, urging communities to refrain from actions that could jeopardize regional peace. However, the commencement of the nationwide voter registration exercise without the finalization of the delineation process has fueled the communities’ anxieties and led to the protest at INEC headquarters. The protesters perceive this as a sign of their effective disenfranchisement.
Prof. Zuru’s assurance that the protesters’ grievances would be conveyed to the full commission provides a glimmer of hope for a resolution. The commitment to addressing the concerns and providing feedback to the communities represents a crucial step towards ensuring their full participation in the electoral process. The ongoing voter registration exercise, with its online component commencing on August 18 and physical registration beginning on August 25, further underscores the urgency of resolving the delineation issue to guarantee the inclusion of the Urhobo and Ijaw communities in the Warri Federal Constituency.
