Prominent concerned Itsekiri leaders have frowned at the proposed delimitation of Warri federal constituency of Delta State, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the planned exercise as a “gross disrespect” for court judgement and breach of fundamental rights of of Itsekiri people.
They specifically cited a 2022 Supreme Court judgement (SC/413/2016) which ordered the review of Wards in Warri Federal Constituency, adding that the judgement is based on constitutional provisions, mandating INEC to review state constituencies every 10 years.
Central to their argument was the contention over the Ward structure in Warri South Constituencies 1 and 2. They alleged that INEC had maintained an illegal Ward structure for over two decades despite court rulings declaring it unconstitutional.
The leaders cited various legal proceedings and judgements dating back to 1997, where INEC was instructed to adhere to the original 10-ward structure but had failed to comply.
The Warri Federal Constituency comprises of Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas of Delta State.
Addressing journalists in Warri during a press conference, Chief Robinson Ariyo, the Egogo of Warri Kingdom, argued that the Supreme Court has decided on the matter, hence any move to do otherwise would amount to contempt of court by INEC.
He said: “Hence, the Supreme Court did not nullify the structures that were existing before. Besides, there is no constitutional provision for such. The Supreme Court throughout the judgment alluded to that which INEC has the constitutional duty to perform and nothing more.
“In this regard, therefore, we humbly urge INEC to first dismantle the illegal structure in order to begin the process of executing the modernised structure.”
The Egogo of Warri Kingdom further said if the INEC wished to carry out any delimination exercise, it must be done across the country and not isolation of Warri Federal Constituency, as spelt out in the constitution.
He said: “May we state that re-delineation sought to be is one that is due for majority of constituencies in Nigeria going by the afore-cited provisions of the Constitution. So, legally speaking, every constituency is due for re-delineation in which the last delineation exercise is more than 10 years. That the exercise is due in not in issue but how as per the status quo or default position is what we need to look at to avoid another round of litigation.”
“It is most desirable that this lingering issue be brought to an amicable closure without the need for further litigations.”
Notable figures in attendance at the press briefing were Ojoye Oma Eyewuoma, the Ologbotsere of Warri, and Ojoye Johnson Amatserunleghe, the Iyatserere of Warri.
Others were Ojoye Gabriel Awala, the Uwangue of Warri; Ojoye Anthony Onuwaje, the Otsodi of Warri, and Ojoye Brown Mene, the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri.