Arising from a review of ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has affirmed the dominance of the Ijaw ethnic group in Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms of Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas, LGAs, respectively.

According to INEC, after conduct of the review, in Warri North LGA, the Commission records show that, out of a total of 18 electoral wards in Warri North, the Ijaw ethnic group accounts for 10, while the Itsekiri group holds 8. 

In Warri South-West LGA, which comprises 19 wards, the Ijaw dominates with 14 wards, compared to 5 wards attributed to the Itsekiri. 

Warri South LGA, which consists of 20 wards, presents a more diverse ethnic distribution, with the Ijaw occupying 3 wards, the Itsekiri 8 wards, and the Urhobo 9 wards.

Receiving the report on behalf of the respective ethnic nationalities were Chief Victor Okumagba (Urhobo), Dr Andrew Igban (Itsekiri), and Dr Joe Bisina (Ijaw).

Speaking at the meeting, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated that this was the fifth engagement with stakeholders since the Supreme Court judgement of 2nd December 2022, which mandated the Commission to carry out the delineation of wards and polling units in the three LGAs that make up the federal constituency.

Represented by INEC’s National Commissioner overseeing Cross River, Delta, and Edo States, Professor Rhoda Gumus, Yakubu noted that the stakeholders’ presence was a testament to their commitment to democratic principles and their trust in INEC as an impartial institution.

This validation by INEC underscores the demographic strength of the Ijaw ethnic group in the Warri Federal Constituency, particularly in the Warri North and Warri South-West LGAs, and is expected to influence future political and administrative considerations in the region.

It would be recalled that the exercise followed a protracted legal process instituted by the Ijaws over pseudo and non-existent wards manipulated by the Itsekiri ethnic group to gain undue political advantage in the three Warri LGAs. 

The Supreme Court verdict compelled INEC to undertake a fresh ward delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency to reflect the reality on ground. In compliance with the court ruling, INEC conducted a fresh ward delineation exercise that validates Ijaw population dominance in the LGAs. 

This result has serious implications for who becomes the next LGA chairman, especially in Warri North, where the Itsekiri had been leading in all appointive and elective positions to the detriment of the Ijaws.

SOURCE: Tribune

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