{"id":4733,"date":"2025-08-23T16:35:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T16:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/23\/the-historical-truth-about-warri-federal-constituency-ward-delineation-and-inecs-dangerous-delay\/"},"modified":"2025-08-23T16:35:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T16:35:52","slug":"the-historical-truth-about-warri-federal-constituency-ward-delineation-and-inecs-dangerous-delay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/23\/the-historical-truth-about-warri-federal-constituency-ward-delineation-and-inecs-dangerous-delay\/","title":{"rendered":"The Historical Truth About Warri Federal Constituency Ward Delineation and INEC\u2019s Dangerous Delay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Uche Alvin <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INEC, AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject: The Historical Truth About Warri Delineation and INEC\u2019s Dangerous Delay
Date: [22\/8\/2025]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History Will Not Forgive INEC\u2019s Delay<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your refusal to announce the Supreme Court\u2013ordered final ward delineation result for Warri Federal Constituency is a betrayal of democracy. History has shown us that when justice is denied in Warri, blood flows. INEC, your silence is sowing the same seeds of injustice that once plunged Warri into destruction in 1997, 1999 and 2003, when political manipulation led to violent crises that claimed lives and shattered peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Constitution Has Spoken: INEC Must Obey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is unequivocal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By disobeying the judgment in Timinimi v. INEC (SC\/CV\/1033\/2023), INEC is not just failing Warri, it is waging war against the Constitution itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delay Is Political Violence in Disguise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ward injustice of 6 wards for Itsekiri, 4 for Ijaw, and 0 for Urhobo is an insult to truth and a violation of equity. Every day of delay deepens ethnic tension, hardens division and fuels resentment. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INEC, your inaction is not administrative delay, it is political violence in disguise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INEC Cannot Selectively Obey Court Orders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Supreme Court ruled on Ebonyi, Kaduna, and Anambra, INEC complied swiftly. But in Warri, INEC drags its feet, hiding behind silence. This double standard exposes political bias and ethnic manipulation. Democracy dies when arbitrariness replaces obedience to law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Historical Declarations: Warri Truth Cannot Be Buried<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1485 \u2013 Duarte Pacheco Pereira\u2019s Testimony: The Ijaw were the indigenous population of Escravos and Warri rivers, long before Ginuwa fled Benin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1925 \u2013 Ogegede v. Dore Numa: The courts recognized that Itsekiri were not overlords of Ijaw and Urhobo lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1996 \u2013 Shell v. Tiebo VII (SC. 33\/1993): The Supreme Court affirmed Ijaw ownership rights over Warri lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colonial CSO 26\/Vol.6\/08549: British intelligence recorded that Ijaw and Urhobo were the majority population in Warri, not Itsekiri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth is clear: Ijaw and Urhobo are the ancestral custodians of Warri. INEC\u2019s current ward allocation is fraudulent, unjust and unconstitutional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal Government Must Act Now<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. President, you swore an oath under Section oath of office, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to \u201cpreserve, protect and defend the Constitution.\u201d That oath is meaningless if your government allows INEC to trample on the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We demand immediate presidential intervention: direct INEC to announce the final delineation result without delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Warning of War<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warri is a fragile land. When injustice lingers, peace collapses. INEC must remember:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 1997 crisis started with ward injustice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 1999 violence grew from political manipulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2003 mayhem was fueled by electoral fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The present injustice is no different. It is a ticking time bomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INEC\u2019s Duty to Protect Democracy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INEC was not created to manufacture crisis, but to protect fairness. By holding back the delineation, INEC is failing its constitutional mandate under Section 153(f) of the 1999 Constitution and Paragraph 15, Part 1 of the Third Schedule, which obligates it to ensure proper electoral representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Justice Is Denied, Conflict Becomes Inevitable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We put it on record today: if violence erupts in Warri due to INEC\u2019s stubborn refusal to obey the law, history will hold INEC accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Final Declaration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Final Delineation, No Voter Registration in Warri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Justice, No Peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obey the Supreme Court or Prepare for History\u2019s Judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief, Tiemopere Joshua
(President)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief, Ebikeme T. Godstime
(Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerned Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cc:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Assembly of Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Security Adviser<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Attorney General of the Federation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The British High Commission, Abuja<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States Embassy, Abuja<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Niger Delta Governors\u2019 Forum<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INEC, AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC Subject:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[1396],"class_list":["post-4733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-the-historical-truth-about-warri-federal-constituency-ward-delineation-and-inecs-dangerous-delay"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2034-1-1.png?fit=225%2C225&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4768,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/09\/01\/this-tactical-delay-must-stop-announce-the-final-ward-delineation-report-for-warri-federal-constituency-now___group-blasts-inec\/","url_meta":{"origin":4733,"position":0},"title":"This Tactical Delay Must Stop: Announce The Final Ward Delineation Report For Warri Federal Constituency Now___Group Blasts INEC","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"September 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN LETTER TO INEC AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA RE: THIS TACTICAL DELAY MUST STOP: ANNOUNCE THE FINAL WARD DELINEATION RESULT FOR WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY NOW From: Concerned Ijaw & Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: [1\/9\/2025] When Truth is Delayed, Falsehood is Empowered We write\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0238-1.jpg?fit=935%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0238-1.jpg?fit=935%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, 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ANNOUNCE THE SUPREME COURT\u2013ORDERED FINAL DELINEATION RESULT FOR WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY NOW From: Concerned Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: [20\/8\/2025] WHEN JUSTICE IS DELAYED, IT BECOMES POLITICAL VIOLENCE The Supreme Court of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electoral"","block_context":{"text":"Electoral","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/electoral\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1745-1.jpg?fit=686%2C386&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1745-1.jpg?fit=686%2C386&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1745-1.jpg?fit=686%2C386&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 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MAY AGBAMUCHE ENOUGH OF THIS BETRAYAL: PUBLISH THE FINAL DELINEATION RESULT NOW! We, the Concerned Elders of Warri Federal Constituency, note the official handover of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to Mrs.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3526.png?fit=650%2C350&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3526.png?fit=650%2C350&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3526.png?fit=650%2C350&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4873,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/03\/inecs-delay-in-implementing-the-warri-federal-constituency-delineation-report-is-a-recipe-for-crisis___warri-ijaw-stakeholders-warns\/","url_meta":{"origin":4733,"position":3},"title":"INEC\u2019s Delay In Implementing The Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Report Is A Recipe For Crisis___Warri Ijaw Stakeholders Warns","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David The Warri Ijaws Stakeholders issue this strong warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): your silence and deliberate delay in releasing the final Warri Federal Constituency ward and unit delineation report is not an act of neutrality \u2014 it is an act of provocation. By law,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_3273-1.jpg?fit=1040%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_3273-1.jpg?fit=1040%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_3273-1.jpg?fit=1040%2C767&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_3273-1.jpg?fit=1040%2C767&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4737,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/25\/just-in-ijaw-stakeholders-group-writes-open-letter-to-federal-government-nsa-nigerian-security-agencies-calls-for-investigation-of-inec-over-refusal-to-publish-warri-federal-constituency-final-del\/","url_meta":{"origin":4733,"position":4},"title":"JUST IN: Ijaw Stakeholders Group Writes Open Letter To Federal Government, NSA, Nigerian Security Agencies, Calls For Investigation Of INEC Over Refusal To Publish Warri Federal Constituency Final Delineation Report","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), SECURITY AGENCIES, AND ALL NIGERIANS OF CONSCIENCE From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: [25\/8\/2025] SUBJECT: ENOUGH OF THE INJUSTICE: INVESTIGATE INEC\u2019S DELIBERATE REFUSAL TO PUBLISH THE SUPREME COURT\u2013ORDERED FINAL WARD DELINEATION RESULT FOR WARRI WHEN\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electoral"","block_context":{"text":"Electoral","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/electoral\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5265,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/06\/just-in-coalition-group-writes-open-letter-to-inec-chairman-prof-joash-ojo-amupitan-over-warri-federal-constituency-delineation-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":4733,"position":5},"title":"JUST IN: Coalition Group Writes Open Letter To INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan Over Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Report","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER ON THE WILFUL SABOTAGE OF THE FINAL WARD DELINEATION RESULT IN WARRIDATE: 6\/1\/2026 To:PROF. JOASH OJO AMUPITAN, SANChairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)Abuja, Nigeria We write this letter not as a courtesy, not as a dialogue and certainly not as a plea. We write in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6285.jpg?fit=482%2C316&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1el","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4733\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}