{"id":4742,"date":"2025-08-26T16:23:33","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T16:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/26\/warri-delineation-inecs-refusal-to-implement-the-supreme-court-ordered-delineation-report-is-a-threat-to-national-security___says-ijaw-stakeholders-of-warri-federal-constituency\/"},"modified":"2025-08-26T19:26:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T19:26:44","slug":"warri-delineation-inecs-refusal-to-implement-the-supreme-court-ordered-delineation-report-is-a-threat-to-national-security___says-ijaw-stakeholders-of-warri-federal-constituency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/26\/warri-delineation-inecs-refusal-to-implement-the-supreme-court-ordered-delineation-report-is-a-threat-to-national-security___says-ijaw-stakeholders-of-warri-federal-constituency\/","title":{"rendered":"WARRI DELINEATION: INEC\u2019s Refusal To Implement The Supreme Court Ordered Delineation Report Is A Threat To National Security___Says Ijaw Stakeholders Of Warri Federal Constituency"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Esther David<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), SECURITY AGENCIES, AND ALL NIGERIANS OF GOOD CONSCIENCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: [25\/8\/25]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUBJECT: THE LOOMING CALAMITY IN WARRI: INEC\u2019S REFUSAL TO PUBLISH THE SUPREME COURT\u2013ORDERED FINAL DELINEATION RESULT IS A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEN INJUSTICE BECOMES AN INVITATION TO CRISIS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We issue this letter not in whispers but in anger, not in fear but in boldness. INEC has chosen a dangerous path, a path that disrespects the Constitution, mocks the judiciary and pushes Warri toward unrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are warning now: if INEC dares to take us back to the fraudulent old structure of 6 wards for Itsekiri, 4 for Ijaw, and 0 for Urhobo, after the Supreme Court judgment and after the nationwide delineation exercise, then INEC itself will have lit the fire of crisis in Warri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Itsekiri are shouting today because their falsehood has been exposed. But the real calamity lies in INEC\u2019s silence and manipulation, in INEC\u2019s refusal to announce the Supreme Court\u2013ordered final ward delineation result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We say it clearly: we will not be called tenants in our own land. We reject it. We resist it. And we will defend our right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HISTORY SPEAKS LOUDER THAN FALSEHOOD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Prince Ginuwa came from Benin, he met the Ijaw people already settled on the creeks and islands of Warri. We harbored him, gave him land, gave him a wife and allowed him to stay. The place that later became Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) their so-called ancestral home, was Ijaw land, given to them by the Ijaws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How then can the descendants of a stranger now turn around to call their benefactors \u201ctenants\u201d?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Portuguese records like Duarte Pacheco Pereira\u2019s 1485 testimony to British colonial documents like CSO 26\/Vol. 6\/08549 and CO 554\/120\/5, history is clear: the Ijaw were the original custodians of Escravos, Ogbe-Ijoh, Gbaramatu, and the wider Warri region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even the Nigerian judiciary has affirmed our rights through multiple cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shell v. Tiebo VII (1996, 9 NWLR Pt. 477, Pg. 668) where Ijaw ownership of land was upheld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ometan v. Dore Numa (1926, Privy Council) where dubious land dealings by Itsekiri agents were exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SC\/CV\/1033\/2023 (Timinimi v. INEC) where the Supreme Court ordered proper ward delineation in Warri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History and law both testify: the Ijaw cannot and will not be erased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES BETRAYED<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Nigerian Constitution is unambiguous:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 14(2)(b): \u201cThe security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 42(1): \u201cA citizen of Nigeria shall not, by reason of his ethnic group or community, be subjected to discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 287(1): \u201cThe decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Section 1(3): \u201cIf any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By refusing to publish the final delineation result, INEC is not only disobeying the Supreme Court, it is violating the Constitution itself. That is an act of rebellion against the state, a slow poisoning of democracy and an invitation to anarchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE COURT IS OUR WITNESS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For over two decades, the Ijaw people endured marginalization under the fraudulent old ward system. Yet we did not pick up arms, we went to court. We subjected ourselves to the rule of law. We fought with patience, with evidence, with legal argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we won.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Supreme Court has spoken in Timinimi v. INEC (SC\/CV\/1033\/2023). INEC has conducted the delineation. The final step is the announcement. Why then is INEC silent? Why this deliberate betrayal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We say to INEC and to the Federal Government: anybody not satisfied with the process should also go to court, as we did. Do not attempt to rob us of our victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUR DEMANDS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We call on the Federal Government, the NSA, and all Nigerians of conscience to act now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct INEC to immediately publish and gazette the final delineation result for Warri Federal Constituency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure equal and just ward allocation reflecting Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri realities, not colonial falsehoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investigate and expose any political sabotage behind INEC\u2019s refusal to announce the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guarantee peace and security in Warri by removing the root cause of ethnic tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION: WE WILL DEFEND WHAT IS OURS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our patience is not foolishness. Our silence is not weakness. We have carried the weight of injustice long enough, and we will not allow INEC to drag us back into slavery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We remind the Federal Government of Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s immortal words:
\u201cInjustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If INEC continues this provocation, the responsibility for any unrest in Warri will lie squarely on its shoulders and on the Federal Government that failed to intervene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are ready to defend our land, our history and our dignity. We demand justice and we demand it now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

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

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

CC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Senate President & Speaker, House of Representatives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chief Justice of Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Director-General, DSS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The United Nations (UN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The African Union (AU)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The European Union (EU)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigerian & International Media<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Esther David OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), SECURITY…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4741,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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}},"categories":[13],"tags":[1403],"class_list":["post-4742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-warri-delineation-inecs-refusal-to-implement-the-supreme-court-ordered-delineation-report-is-a-threat-to-national-security___says-ijaw-stakeholders-of-warri-federal-constituency"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2165-1.jpg?fit=948%2C628&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5263,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/06\/warri-ijaw-stakeholders-warns-of-legal-actions-electoral-consequences-over-inecs-refusal-to-implement-announce-warri-federal-constituency-delineation-report-ahead-of-2027-elections\/","url_meta":{"origin":4742,"position":0},"title":"Warri Ijaw Stakeholders Warns Of Legal Actions, Electoral Consequences Over INEC\u2019s Refusal To Implement, Announce Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Report Ahead Of 2027 Elections.","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Ebiowei Gabriel The Warri Ijaw Stakeholders have expressed grave concern over the continued refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce and implement the Warri Federal Constituency wards and polling units delineation exercise report, despite a binding order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The stakeholders state\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_6754.jpg?fit=1103%2C557&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6754.jpg?fit=1103%2C557&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6754.jpg?fit=1103%2C557&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6754.jpg?fit=1103%2C557&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6754.jpg?fit=1103%2C557&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"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":4742,"position":1},"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":4711,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/20\/just-in-advocacy-group-charges-inec-to-announce-supreme-court-ordered-warri-federal-constituency-delineation-report-at-once-says-the-continuous-delay-in-implementing-the-report-is-dangerous-and-can\/","url_meta":{"origin":4742,"position":2},"title":"JUST IN: Advocacy Group Charges INEC To Announce Supreme Court Ordered Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Report At Once, Says The Continuous Delay In Implementing The Report Is Dangerous And Can Result To Crisis","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA, INEC AND ALL NIGERIANS RE: INEC MUST 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 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4905,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/20\/inecs-silence-on-the-warri-federal-constituency-delineation-report-and-its-implications-on-the-ongoing-continuous-voters-registration-exercise-a-threat-to-justice-equity-and-democr\/","url_meta":{"origin":4742,"position":3},"title":"INEC\u2019s Silence On The Warri Federal Constituency Delineation Report And It\u2019s Implications On The Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration Exercise: A Threat To Justice, Equity And Democracy","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin Date: Monday, 20th October, 2025Warri, Delta State The Warri Ijaw Stakeholders express deep concern and strong condemnation over the continued silence and inaction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the final report on the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency,\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\/07\/img_1017-2-1.jpg?fit=1090%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1017-2-1.jpg?fit=1090%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1017-2-1.jpg?fit=1090%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1017-2-1.jpg?fit=1090%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1017-2-1.jpg?fit=1090%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"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":4742,"position":4},"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, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0238-1.jpg?fit=935%2C578&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0238-1.jpg?fit=935%2C578&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4733,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/23\/the-historical-truth-about-warri-federal-constituency-ward-delineation-and-inecs-dangerous-delay\/","url_meta":{"origin":4742,"position":5},"title":"The Historical Truth About Warri Federal Constituency Ward Delineation and INEC\u2019s Dangerous Delay","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INEC, AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC Subject: The Historical Truth About Warri Delineation and INEC\u2019s Dangerous DelayDate: [22\/8\/2025] History Will Not Forgive INEC\u2019s Delay Your refusal to announce the Supreme Court\u2013ordered final ward delineation result for Warri Federal Constituency is a betrayal\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\/08\/img_2034-1-1.png?fit=225%2C225&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1eu","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4742","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=4742"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4749,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4742\/revisions\/4749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}