By Josiah Victor

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENCY AND THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC)

DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL WARD-DELINEATION RESULT FOR WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY

From: Concerned Elders and Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: 10/9/2025

Preamble

The integrity of Nigeria’s democracy rests on equality before the law. When an institution of the Federal Republic, such as INEC fails to comply with a valid and subsisting judgment of the Supreme Court, democracy itself is betrayed. Today, that betrayal hangs heavily over Warri Federal Constituency.

Background

On December 2, 2022, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in George Timinimi & Ors v. INEC (SC/CV/1033/2023), delivered a landmark judgment ordering INEC to carry out and publish the final delineation of wards within Warri Federal Constituency, comprising Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGAs.

That judgment settled decades of historical imbalance created by colonial-era structures contrary to the 1999 Constitution’s provisions on equality, justice and fair representation.

Almost year later after carrying out the fieldwork, INEC has neither implemented nor published the final delineation result. Instead, the Commission is conducting voter registration (CVR) under a ward structure already struck down by the apex court. This is a direct violation of both Section 287(1) of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Constitutional and Legal Imperatives

1. Section 287(1) of the Constitution (1999, as amended) mandates all persons and authorities in Nigeria, including INEC to obey and enforce Supreme Court judgments.
2. The continued use of the defunct ward structure contradicts Section 14(3), which requires equitable representation in governance.
3. The Supreme Court, being the final arbiter, has spoken. Any attempt to circumvent or delay its pronouncement amounts to constitutional defiance.

Our Position

We, the people of Warri Federal Constituency, state unequivocally:

No final delineation result, no Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

No CVR, no election.

Our demand is not an act of rebellion but a call for constitutional obedience. We are defenders of lawful process, not agitators for disorder.

Our Demands

1. That the Federal Government immediately directs INEC to publish the final ward-delineation result in compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment.
2. That any attempt to proceed with voter registration under the nullified ward structure be suspended immediately.
3. That the Attorney-General of the Federation ensures the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment to preserve Nigeria’s constitutional order.

Our Warning

INEC’s continued silence is not neutrality, it is complicity. Every day of delay deepens public mistrust, provokes tension and undermines peace. Democracy cannot be built on contempt for the Supreme Court. Justice delayed is democracy denied.

Conclusion

This is a moral and constitutional call. The nation cannot afford another avoidable crisis born of administrative arrogance. Publish the final ward-delineation result now, not tomorrow, not after the next election but now and let history record INEC as a defender, not a betrayer of Nigeria’s democracy.

SIGNED:

Chief, Tiemopere Joshua
(President)

Chief, Ebikeke T. Goodstime

(Secretary)

Concerned Elders of Warri Federal Constituency

Cc:

The National Assembly of Nigeria

The National Security Adviser (NSA)

The Attorney General of the Federation

The Delta State Government

PublishTheFinalDelineationResultNow

NoResultNoCVRNoElection

INECMustObeyTheSupremeCourt

WarriDeservesJustice

PeaceWithoutJusticeIsSlavery

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