Itsekiri Leadership Challenges INEC’s Delineation Proposal
Leaders of the Itsekiri community have formally rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent proposal for delineating wards, polling stations, and state constituencies within the Warri federal constituency. They argue that the proposal is riddled with constitutional, legal, and technical irregularities.
During a press conference in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, representatives of the Itsekiri National Organization (IEN) criticized INEC for relying on inaccurate field surveys and disputed Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping data for the report unveiled on May 20, 2026. The leaders expressed strong support for the Supreme Court decision mandating a new delineation exercise for Warri South, Warri South West, and Warri North Local Government Areas, emphasizing their refusal to accept what they deem a flawed execution of this mandate.
The conference featured notable figures including Chief Edward Ekpoko, Prince Yemi Emiko, Sir AS Mene, Alex Eingho, and Chief Robinson Ariyo. They contended that while the Itsekiri people are advocates for democratic inclusion and electoral reform, they cannot support a delineation initiative they believe contravenes the 1999 Constitution, the 2026 Electoral Act, and INEC’s own guidelines on electoral boundary adjustments.
According to the Itsekiri leaders, the proposed delineation plan violates legal requirements and relies on a highly questionable mapping process. They claim independent geography and mapping experts have identified various irregularities in INEC’s data, including polling stations positioned beyond legally recognized local government boundaries, and some located in rivers, wetlands, or uninhabitable areas.
They further pointed out that certain proposed wards and voting units extend beyond Delta State into neighboring Edo and Ondo states, and that others violate local government boundaries, breaching INEC’s regulations. An independent technical review of the Warri South West Local Government Area allegedly revealed 1,798 registered area polygons, many of which are submerged, overlapping, or located outside the intended local government area.
The leaders maintained that the delineation process should have been informed by voter registration data and election statistics from the 2023 general election, rather than what they characterized as “manufactured maps.” They cited disparities in the proposed configurations, such as communities with a high concentration of voters being grouped into fewer wards, which they argue undermines fair representation.
Call for Legal and Democratic Channels
Beyond the delineation concerns, Itsekiri leaders condemned ongoing media attacks by certain Ijaw and Urhobo factions against President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. They accused specific Ijaw groups, particularly those from the Gbaramatu Kingdom, of inciting inflammatory rhetoric regarding the delineation issue. The leaders called for restraint, urging all parties to address their grievances through legal and peaceful means, while warning against threats that could destabilize the region.
While voicing their concerns about the delineation proposal, the Itsekiri leaders expressed support for the creation of additional state constituencies in both Warri North and Warri South West, as well as an extra federal constituency in the proposed Warri Federal Constituency, provided these changes adhere to constitutional and legal standards.
In their statement, they called on the Federal Government to investigate the implementation of the delineation exercise and urged INEC to cease reliance on the contested field survey and GIS mapping data until it undergoes independent verification. They also appealed to security and monitoring agencies to ensure transparency and compliance with established legal provisions throughout the process.
To foster a fair resolution, the Itsekiri leaders proposed a delineation based on the 2023 voter rolls, suggesting a proportionate distribution of 6 Itsekiri and 4 Ijaw wards in both Warri North and Warri South West, ultimately forming 12 Itsekiri wards and 8 Ijaw wards in each local government area. Their proposal aims to ensure equitable representation while upholding the principles of democracy and electoral fairness.
