Presidency Under Fire As Ijaw, Urhobo Stakeholders Reject Delay In Implementation Of Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Report -

By Freeborn Abraye

Fresh controversy has emerged over the implementation of the Supreme Court-backed delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, as indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo stakeholders on Monday openly accused the Presidency of obstructing the process despite INEC’s completion of the exercise.

The concerns were raised during a peaceful protest held at Ogbe-Ijoh Market in Warri South Local Government Area, where demonstrators called for the immediate implementation of the delineation approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Carrying placards with messages such as “FG allow INEC to do its work,” “DSS stay away from Warri Federal Constituency delineation,” “INEC respect the rule of law,” and “No allocation of Wards and Units,” the protesters insisted that the electoral body should be allowed to carry out its constitutional responsibilities without external interference.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Spokesman of Gbaramatu Kingdom, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama, read a joint statement in which the stakeholders accused the Presidency of attempting to halt the implementation of a judgment already settled by the Supreme Court.

According to the statement, “By Section 161 of the 1999 Constitution, INEC is independent in the performance of it’s duties and the Presidency has no power whatsoever direct INEC. The 1999 Constitution clearly State that INEC shall not be subject to the direction and control of the President.”

The stakeholders further argued that the Supreme Court judgment in SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & Ors V. INEC remains binding on all authorities and institutions.

“Further more, by Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution,the judgment of the Supreme Court is final and all organs and agencies of government have a constitutional duty to implement orders of the Supreme Court without delay or hesitation. In this case, the Supreme Court gave a final decision in SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi &Ors V. INEC and therefore, the Presidency has no constitutional powers to stop its implementation.”

The protesters described the alleged interference as a threat to constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

“We wish to alert the Nigerian people and the International Community that, the interference by the Presidency in the implementation of the judgment of the Supreme Court is an attack on the rule of law and democracy in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State in particular and Nigeria in general.”

The group also dismissed claims that security concerns were responsible for the delay in implementing the delineation exercise.

“The threat to national security being alleged by the office of the National Security Adviser(NSA) to stop the immediate implementation of the fresh delineation is only a subterfuge by the Presidency to alter the final report of the delineation to favour the Itsekiri ethnic group.”

Warning against any attempt to disregard the court’s decision, the stakeholders stated: “If anybody or group is threatening the peace of Warri as a result of the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment, the Office of the NSA should go after such a person and not disrespect the Supreme Court orders.”

The protesters urged INEC to move ahead with the delineation process and direct political parties to conduct primaries for the newly created constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They maintained that the people of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North, who stand to benefit from one of the newly created constituencies, have waited too long for political representation.

“The Ijaw people of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North LGA who the new State Constituency was created for after more than a century of political oppression and suppression are eager to elect political party candidates to participate in the 2027 general elections into the Delta State House of Assembly.”

The protest also attracted support from several Urhobo and Ijaw leaders, including Chief Femi Okumagba, Chief John Edgar Eranvor and Chief Dembo Denbofa Oweikpodor, who aligned themselves with the position presented by High Chief Gbenekama.

Source: GbaramatuVoice