OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA, THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS OF DEMOCRACY -

By Uche Alvin

Democracy Cannot Stand on a Broken Foundation

We write with a heavy heart but also with the burning anger of a people betrayed. For years, our communities in Warri Federal Constituency have borne the brunt of a colonial-era ward structure that the Supreme Court has already declared null and void. Yet, INEC continues to act as if the Court’s judgment does not exist, registering voters under wards that have no legal standing.
“Democracy cannot be built on a foundation the Supreme Court has already struck down.”

This is not rhetoric. This is reality. INEC’s refusal to publish the final ward delineation result is not an administrative delay; it is an assault on the Constitution. It is a betrayal of voters. It is a betrayal of Nigeria itself.

We Are Not Begging: We Are Demanding

We remind INEC and the Federal Government that the rights of the people are not gifts to be handed out at your convenience. They are constitutional guarantees.

“We are not asking for favours. We are demanding our constitutional right.”

Every day of delay deepens illegality. Every registration conducted under a void structure erodes trust, disenfranchises communities and shames Nigeria before the world. INEC must stop hiding behind excuses and do its duty.

History Is Watching

From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the deserts of the North, Nigerians fought for a democracy grounded in fairness and law. That sacrifice must not be mocked by administrative arrogance. As John F. Kennedy warned:

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

Patience is not weakness; it is restraint. But restraint has an expiry date. If the umpire of elections becomes the shield for illegality, the peace of the land will be endangered. History will not forgive those who stood by and did nothing.

Our Clear Demand

We therefore make our position plain:

Publish the final ward delineation result immediately as ordered by the Supreme Court in Timinimi v. INEC (SC/CV/1033/2023).

Cease all voter registration exercises under the illegal, voided wards.

Restore the integrity of the electoral process by aligning INEC’s actions with the Constitution and the courts.

No final delineation, no voter registration.
No voter registration, no election.

This is not a threat. This is a declaration of principle. Democracy cannot thrive on illegality. INEC’s delay is betrayal. Enough is enough.

Conclusion

We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Security Adviser, the leadership of the National Assembly, civil society and international observers to act now. The credibility of the 2025 elections depends on it. The world is watching.

SIGNED:

Chief, Tiemopere Joshua
(President)

Chief, Ebikeke T. Goodstime

(Secretary)

Concerned Elders of Warri Federal Constituency

Cc:
The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

The National Assembly of Nigeria

The National Security Adviser (NSA)

The Attorney General of the Federation

The Delta State Government