Leaders of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo communities in Warri Federal Constituency have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the area, insisting that it is illegal and contemptuous of a Supreme Court judgment ordering a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units.
The call was made on Monday during a world press conference in Warri, where the groups accused INEC of attempting to disenfranchise them by proceeding with voter registration without first completing the delineation process.
Reading the joint position of the groups, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, a prominent son of Okere-Urhobo kingdom, said the Ijaw and Urhobo of Warri Federal Constituency would boycott the CVR exercise until INEC complied with the Supreme Court ruling.
“It is criminal, illegal, and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgment for INEC to proceed with voter registration in Warri Federal Constituency when there are no longer valid electoral wards and units upon which the exercise can stand,” Okumagba declared.
Other community leaders, including Chief Godspower Gbenakama, Dr. Joel Bisina, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, and Chief John Eranvor, also urged INEC to immediately release and implement the long-awaited report on ward delineation.
The leaders recalled that on December 2, 2022, the Supreme Court ordered INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of wards and polling units in Warri South-West, Warri South, and Warri North Local Government Areas following years of disputes over alleged gerrymandering that skewed representation against the Ijaw and Urhobo people.
They noted that although INEC had held several meetings with stakeholders and presented a draft report on April 4, 2025, the commission has since failed to publish the final document. Instead, INEC has gone ahead with preparations for future elections.
“We are convinced that INEC’s compromised independence and vulnerability to selfish external influences have delayed the release of this crucial report,” the leaders said, warning that the situation threatens peace and democratic participation in Warri.
While stressing that they were capable of shutting down oil operations in the area, the representatives maintained that they would continue to pursue their demands through lawful and democratic means.
“Our demand is clear and irrevocable: INEC must immediately release and implement the delineation report,” the statement concluded.
The press conference was signed by over a dozen representatives, including Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Hon. Deinbofa Oweikpodor, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Rev. Samuel Ako, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori, and Chief Mrs. Ann Gagiyovwi, among others.
