JUST IN: Group Raises Alert Over Warri Federal Constituency Delineation, Says INEC’s Delay In Implementing Final Delineation Report Fueling Violence, Ethnic Conflict In Warri -

By Uche Alvin

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SECURITY AGENCIES, AND INEC

From: Concerned Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: [25/8/2025]

SUBJECT: INEC’S DELAY IS FUELING FRAUD AND VIOLENCE – ANNOUNCE THE FINAL WARD DELINEATION NOW

INTRODUCTION: WHEN HISTORY SPEAKS, INEC MUST LISTEN

We write with burning anger and heavy hearts. Warri has been too often made the playground of fraud, manipulation and silence weaponized by those who benefit from injustice. The refusal of INEC to publish the Supreme Court–ordered final delineation result for Warri Federal Constituency is not only contempt for the judiciary, but also a reckless gamble with the fragile peace of our land.

In Timinimi v. INEC (SC/CV/1033/2023), the Supreme Court gave a direct, binding and unambiguous order: Warri Federal Constituency must be re-delineated and the result published. Yet, INEC hides behind excuses and silence, while obeying similar rulings in other states.

Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states clearly:

“The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court.”

This provision is not optional. INEC’s refusal to obey is unconstitutional, illegal and provocative.

COLONIAL RECORDS DISPROVE ITSEKIRI CLAIMS

Long before the exiled Benin Prince Ginuwa landed among the Ijaw in the 15th century, the Ijaw were already settled in the Escravos, Forcados and Benin Rivers. Portuguese explorer Duarte Pacheco Pereira (1485), in his Esmeraldo de Situ Orbis, described the Ijaw presence in those waters decades before Itsekiri history even begins.

The 1928 Intelligence Report on the Itsekiri restricted the Olu’s authority to Itsekiri villages, never over Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, Egbema or Urhobo territories. Yet, INEC continues to treat Warri as if Itsekiri dominance was a legal fact.

THE 1992 UNDERTAKING: OLU HIMSELF DENIED OVERLORDSHIP

On the 6th of May, 1992, the Olu of Itsekiri, through his representatives, signed an undertaking regarding his coronation anniversary. In that document, the Olu himself admitted:

That the celebration was purely traditional and had nothing to do with the overlordship of Warri.

That their carnival train would pass only through designated public highways without trespassing or molestation of innocent citizens.

That no arms, offensive weapons or provocative songs would be allowed.

That in the event of any breach of peace, the Olu and his Chiefs would be held responsible.

What clearer confession is needed? Even the Olu of Itsekiri admitted that’s he has no overlordship in Warri, yet INEC sustains a fraudulent ward structure that places political power in his hands.

LEGAL VICTORIES AGAINST ITSEKIRI FRAUD

Over the years, courts have exposed the falsehood of Itsekiri land claims:

Chief E. E. Sillo v. Chief Dore Numa (1934). Court limited Dore Numa’s powers and warned against alienation of lands not owned.

Ometan v. Dore Numa (1926). The Privy Council held that Dore Numa had no proprietary rights to dispose of communal lands.

Shell v. Tiebo VII (1996). Supreme Court recognized Ijaw ownership of land where oil installations were located.

These are not whispers, they are judgments, binding and enforceable. Yet INEC pretends not to know.

THE FRAUDULENT 6–4–0 STRUCTURE

Today, Warri operates under the most shameful ward structure in Nigeria:

6 wards for Itsekiri (minority),

4 wards for Ijaw (majority),

0 wards for Urhobo (landowners).

This apartheid-style arithmetic is an insult to democracy, an insult to history and an insult to the Constitution. INEC knows Itsekiri do not have the population or the landmass to justify six wards. Yet it keeps this injustice alive.

INEC’S DELAY IS AN ACT OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE

INEC’s silence is not administrative caution. It is political violence disguised as bureaucracy.

Every day you delay is:

A slap to the face of the Supreme Court.

A betrayal of Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution: “The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured.”

A dangerous provocation to Warri’s fragile peace.

We put it on record today: there shall be no Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in Warri until the final delineation result is announced.

No delineation, no registration. No ward justice, no election.

CONCLUSION: HISTORY IS WATCHING INEC

INEC, you are playing with fire. The fragile peace of Warri is not your toy. Your silence is fueling ethnic crisis, your delay is inviting chaos and your refusal to obey the Supreme Court is treason againstl democracy.

Announce the final delineation result NOW, not tomorrow, not next year but NOW. Or bear the full responsibility or the disaster your injustice will unleash.

Signed:

Chief, Tiemopere Joshua
(President)

Chief, Ebikeme T. Godstime
(Secretary)

Concerned Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency

Cc:

The National Assembly of Nigeria

The Attorney General of the Federation

The British High Commission, Abuja

The United States Embassy, Abuja

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria

The United Nations Resident Coordinator,a Nigeria

Niger Delta Governors’ Forum