Re: Itsekiri Press Conference Calling For Probe Of INEC Over Supreme Court Ordered Delineation In Warri Federal Constituency Is Baseless, Contemptuous, An Insult To The Constitution -

By Esther David

OPEN REBUTTAL LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND INEC

RE: ITSEKIRI PRESS CONFERENCE CALLING FOR PROBE INTO INEC’S SUPREME COURT–ORDERED DELINEATION IS BASELESS, CONTEMPTUOUS AND A DIRECT INSULT TO THE CONSTITUTION

From: Concerned Ijaw & Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: [2/9/2025]

Introduction: Lies Cannot Override Law

On September 1, 2025, certain Itsekiri chiefs, under the guise of defending democracy, convened a press conference in Warri. They brazenly dismissed the INEC fieldwork on ward and polling unit delineation as “fraudulent” and demanded a probe of INEC officials.

Let it be known: this charade is nothing but propaganda dressed in deceit. It is a desperate, last–minute attempt to overturn the Supreme Court’s binding judgment in SC/143/2016 – Hon. George Timinimi & Ors v. INEC. The highest court in the land gave a clear directive: INEC must conduct a fresh delineation in Warri Federal Constituency. INEC has done exactly that.

The Itsekiri cannot, by mere press conferences, overturn the authority of the Supreme Court of Nigeria or the sovereignty of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The Naked Fear of the Itsekiri

Their anger is not about democracy. It is about fear:

Fear of Demographics: From the 2006 census, INEC voter registers (2011–2023), and colonial intelligence reports, the truth is unshakable: the Ijaw and Urhobo overwhelmingly outnumber the Itsekiri across Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North. INEC’s delineation finally reflects this reality.

Fear of History’s Verdict: From Duarte Pacheco Pereira’s 1485 testimony to the Warri Intelligence Reports of 1932 and 1938, the record is clear: the Ijaw and Urhobo are the true ancestral owners of the Warri territories. The 1952 fraud — when the colonial government deceitfully transformed the title Olu of Itsekiri into Olu of Warri, has collapsed under the weight of truth.

Fear of Justice: For decades, the apartheid ward structure, 6 wards for Itsekiri, 4 for Ijaw and none for Urhobo, denied justice. It was never democracy; it was oppression. INEC’s delineation has buried this illegitimacy and their cries today are nothing but the lamentation of dethroned privilege.

Their “petition” is, in fact, a confession of defeat.

The Constitution and the Supreme Court Are Supreme

To allege that INEC exceeded its mandate is pure falsehood.

Section 287(1) of the Constitution declares:

“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.”

INEC’s action is obedience to the Constitution. The Itsekiri press call is contempt, an attempt to incite rebellion against judicial authority.

Furthermore, Sections 112–115 of the Constitution empower INEC to delineate wards in line with population, contiguity and community interest.

And under the Electoral Act 2022, Section 40(2), INEC must establish polling units and allot voters accordingly. This is precisely what INEC has done.

The Constitution speaks. The Supreme Court speaks. INEC obeys. Who are the Itsekiri to say otherwise?

History Has Already Spoken

Contrary to their cries of “phantom communities,” history bears witness:

1485: Duarte Pacheco Pereira identified the Ijaw (Ogbe-Ijoh and Gbaramatu) as inhabitants of Escravos/Warri.

1716 Dutch Records: Testified to Ijaw naval dominance in the Warri axis.

1928 Warri Township Assessment Report (CSO 26/Vol.6/08549): Declared Ogbe-Ijoh as the original landowners of modern Warri Township.

1932 Warri Intelligence Report (CSO 26/08549): Warned the colonial government against Itsekiri’s fraudulent claims.

1952 Olu Title Fraud: Chief Mukoro Mowoe thundered in protest: “This is a travesty to turn landlords into tenants in their ancestral home.”

Thus, it is not INEC creating ghosts; it is the Itsekiri trying to erase the living.

Judicial Consistency Across Nigeria

INEC has always implemented Supreme Court directives nationwide:

Ebonyi (2007 – INEC v. Musa Anagha Nwaigwe)

Kano (2013 – INEC v. Musa)

Anambra (2015 – Hon. Uche Ekwunife v. INEC)

Kaduna (2019 – INEC v. Dangana)

Why then should Warri be an exception? Selective obedience is injustice.

Representation Is a Right, Not a Gift

The Itsekiri boast of “allowing” Ijaw sons to serve as deputy governor and speaker. This is arrogance and falsehood. Representation is not a handout from a minority group. It is the birthright of majority populations under a democracy. The Constitution guarantees equality; it does not bow to the generosity of the Itsekiri.

Our Irrevocable Stand

We, the stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency, declare:

No Final Ward Delineation, No Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The apartheid structure of the past is dead and buried.

The new delineation reflects truth, history, law and population.

Conclusion: The Time for Delay Has Ended

We therefore call on the Federal Government to:

Direct INEC to immediately announce the final ward delineation result.
Reject the Itsekiri’s baseless and contemptuous propaganda.
Commend INEC for acting constitutionally, courageously and professionally.

Enough of lies. Enough of intimidation. Enough of delay.

The Constitution is not a suggestion, it is binding. The Supreme Court is not advice, it is final. INEC has acted; now the Federal Government must enforce.

ANNOUNCE THE FINAL WARD DELINEATION RESULT FOR WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY NOW.

Signed:

Chief, Timothy Ovie
(President)

Chief, Ebikeme T. Godstime
(Secretary)

Concerned Ijaw & Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency

Cc:

The Governor of Delta State

National Assembly

National Security Adviser

International Community

Media