“Disregard False And Fraudulent Itsekiri Ownership Claims Of Warri South, Warri South West, Warri North LGAs And Urgently Publish The Final Ward Delineation Report” __

‎By Esther David

OPEN LETTER TO THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
‎Disregard False and Fraudulent Itsekiri Ownership Claims of Warri South/Warri South West/Warri North Local Government Areas and Urgently Publish the Final Ward Delineation Report.
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‎We write to you as direct stakeholders in the democratic process and future of Warri Federal Constituency. This letter calls for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment in Hon. George Timinimi & Others v. INEC (SC.413/2016), which mandates a comprehensive delineation of electoral wards and polling units, followed by fresh voter registration across Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West LGAs.
‎Although INEC has commendably completed the delineation exercise and produced a detailed field report, it has failed to officially publish and operationalize this report. Such inaction now violates the spirit and letter of the Supreme Court’s ruling, erodes public trust and threatens the constitutional rights of citizens in the constituency.
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‎The Supreme Court Judgment: A Clear Directive, Not a Suggestion.
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‎The judgment of December 2, 2022, was unequivocal: No further electoral activity, including registration or elections shall take place in Warri Federal Constituency until the delineation is properly completed and implemented. As it stands, there is no valid ward structure, no lawful polling unit arrangement and no recognized voter register in the entire constituency.
‎Any action in defiance of this judgment would be illegal, unconstitutional and ultimately null and void. INEC must act decisively to avoid further legal breaches, political instability and disenfranchisement.
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‎The Disinformation Campaign: Itsekiri Claims and Historical Distortion
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‎Regrettably, INEC’s hesitancy seems influenced by a sustained campaign of disinformation and historical revisionism by Itsekiri elites and followers, who falsely claim ancestral ownership of over 90% of Warri lands. This claim is categorically false and contradicted by historical records, colonial reports, judicial precedents and official government recognition.
‎The Ijaw people of Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Egbema, Isaba and Diebiri Kingdoms are the aboriginal inhabitants of Warri Federal Constituency. Their settlements predate the arrival of Itsekiri and Prince Ginuwa and the Itsekiri monarchy by centuries.
‎The attempt to distort history is rooted in the strategic misrepresentation of legal cases that were either dismissed, withdrawn, or unrelated to land ownership at scale. Notably:
‎Suit No. W/148/56 and W/63/58 were struck out without judgment, no rights were conferred.
‎The Supreme Court in Idudun v. Okumagba (W/48/68) confirmed that the Ginuwa-founded kingdom never extended to Warri city.
‎In CA/AS/4041/2016, the courts dismissed attempts by the Olu of Warri to nullify Ijaw and Urhobo traditional leadership recognition.
‎These truths are not just legal, they are historical and undeniable.
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‎Legal and Government Recognition of Ijaw Sovereignty
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‎Over the decades, statutory and customary law has consistently recognized the distinct identity and sovereignty of Ijaw Kingdoms and their communities:
‎Warri Divisional Council (W.R.L.N. 176 of 1955) Recognized Ogbe-Ijoh as a distinct council area.
‎Warri Urban District Council (W.R.L.N. 177 of 1955) Allotted separate electoral wards to Ogbe-Ijoh: Wards B3, C1, C2, and F1.
‎Chiefs Law (1957, Cap 19) Excluded Egbema, Gbaramatu, and Ogbe-Ijoh from the Olu of Warri’s authority.
‎Bendel State Edict (B.S.L.N. 44 of 1979) Recognized the Amaokosu of Ogbe-Ijoh as the traditional ruler of the area.
‎The Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law identifies seven (7) distinct and independent kingdoms in Warri Federal Constituency:
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‎1. Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom
‎2. Gbaramatu Kingdom
‎3. Egbema Kingdom
‎4. Isaba Kingdom
‎5. Itsekiri Kingdom
‎6. Okere-Urhobo Kingdom
‎7. Agbarha Kingdom
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‎These laws and institutional recognitions invalidates Itsekiri false and fraudulent claims over Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Isaba, Diebiri, Egbema, Okere-Urhobo and Agbarha lands and Warri Federal Constituency.
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‎Conclusion: INEC Must Act Now
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‎INEC must immediately:
‎1. Disregard Itsekiri falsehoods that misrepresent history and misuse court judgments.
‎2. Publish the completed delineation field report for Warri Federal Constituency.
‎3. Commence fresh voter registration, based on the new and lawful ward structures.
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‎Failure to act constitutes complicity in an unconstitutional disenfranchisement of Ijaw people and a breach of a binding Supreme Court order. With the 2027 general elections approaching, time is of the essence.
‎This is not just a legal obligation, it is a democratic imperative. The people of Warri Federal Constituency deserve to vote and be voted for under a structure that reflects justice, history and the rule of law.
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‎Yours faithfully,
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‎Ebiowei Kuro
‎President
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‎Ezonkeme Owei
‎Publicity Secretary
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‎IJaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency.
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‎Cc:
‎The National Security Adviser
‎Delta State Government
‎The Nigerian Senate
‎The Senate President
‎House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria