Ogheneruona Tejiri, Asaba
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)has presented report of delineation of wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State to Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities.
The report was presented to representatives of the communities by Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC at a Stakeholders Meeting held to present the Report of the Fieldwork for the implementation of the Supreme Court ordered delineation of Warri Federal Constituency in Asaba.
The report was received by Chief Victor Okumagba, Dr. Andrew Igban and Dr Joe Bisina on behalf of the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities respectively.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, INEC said that the event was the fifth engagement meeting with the stakeholders since the Supreme Court judgment delivered December 2, 2022 that mandated the Commission to carry out delineation of Wards and Polling Units of the three local government areas in the Federal Constituency.
Prof. Yakubu who was represented by Prof. Rhoda Gumus, INEC’s National Commissioner supervising Cross River, Delta and Edo States said that the presence of the stakeholders was a demonstration of their commitment to democratic principles and believed in INEC as an unbiased empire.
According to Prof. Mahmood, “we recall that in our last engagement meeting in Warri held July 8, 2024, we concluded all discussions with stakeholders and made a promise to commence the field work of the Wards in the above mentioned Constituency(Warri Federal Constituency), the Commission has carried out the exercise, which took place between 10th to 27th July, 2024.
“The entire people of the Warri Federal Constituency played their role as committed citizens”, the INEC Chairman said.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who provided the enabling environment for the exercise.
In his remarks, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC described the event as significant, “because it speaks to the determination, resilience and unity of purpose of all concerned to move beyond the Supreme Court Judgement delivered on 2nd December, 2022, to where we are today.
“The Report of the Fieldwork, is a critical cornerstone towards the Implementation of the Supreme Court Ordered Delineation of Wards and Polling Units in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State.
“Before we arrived at this point, a Stakeholders Meeting was first held at the INEC Delta State Office Conference Hall, Asaba on the 15 February, 2023 followed by the Expanded Stakeholders Meeting which was held in Asaba on 21st March, 2024.
“The third Stakeholders Meeting was held in Warri, Warri South LGA, headquarters of Warri Federal Constituency, on 8th July, 2024 before the Commission’s men and materials were deployed to commence the fieldwork exercise from 10th -27th July, 2024.
“I salute Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu for providing leadership in all phases of engagements to date, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, National Commissioner, Supervising Cross River, Delta and Edo States for displaying incredible wisdom in steering the proceedings on ground.’
A source from the Ethnic Nationalities disclosed the result of the report as Warri North; Ijaw has 10 wards while Itsekiri has 8 wards, Warri South West, Ijaw has 15 Wards, Itsekiri has 4 Wards, while in Warri South, Ijaw has 3 wards out of the 20 Wards with Urhobos of Warri having the majority.
