Renowned humanitarian rights advocate for equity and fairness in Delta State politics, Engr. Dr. Messiah Doupade Olaye, has described the new Independent National Electoral Commission's, INEC, ward delineation exercise of the Warri Federal Constituency as a historic turning point in the political configuration of the constituency.

The respected technocrat and community leader, at a press briefing that held in Warri, also applauded the INEC for upholding fairness in conducting the recently concluded ward delineation exercise, which seeks to correct decades of political imbalance, marginalization, and systemic injustice that have for long plagued the oil-rich but politically sensitive region.

Speaking at the briefing, Dr. Olaye praised INEC for demonstrating courage, neutrality, and commitment to democratic ideals by addressing a sore wound that has festered for decades — the lopsided delineation of electoral wards in Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West local government areas.

Tracing the genesis of the problem, Dr. Olaye pointed out that since the time of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the return of democracy in 1999, Warri Federal Constituency has suffered a glaring injustice in electoral representation, largely as a result of imbalanced ward delineation and suppression of demographic realities.

According to him, “For too long, certain ethnic nationalities and communities in Warri have been strategically underrepresented in order to maintain a political status quo skewed in favor of a few,” he said.

He referenced the fact that despite population growth and development in some areas, particularly among the Ijaw and Urhobo communities, the number of electoral wards allocated to them remained disproportionately low compared to others, leading to systematic disenfranchisement and marginalization in the democratic process.

Dr. Olaye emphasized that this imbalance was not a coincidence but rather a calculated political maneouver — “an arm-twist, an elite conspiracy” — perpetuated by vested interests to deny certain groups access to power and fair participation in governance.

While commending the lofty ward creation exercise, Dr. Olaye noted that the recent ward delineation undertaken by INEC under the supervision of its Delta State office marks a bold departure from the past and signals the dawn of a new era in Warri politics.

He said, “This is the first time in decades that we are seeing a federal institution stand on the side of truth and equity. INEC has done well like a Daniel Come to Judgement. They have restored hope to those who have suffered political exclusion and rekindled faith in the Nigerian democratic system," he added.

He further praised the Commission’s adherence to constitutional guidelines, population data, and stakeholders consultation during the delineation exercise, noting that INEC’s actions were “rooted in transparency, justice, and fairness.”

He maintained that according to General Fidel Castro of Cuba, no army in the whole world can stop an idea whose time has come, and added that, "the reality we see today as INEC have done is indeed an idea whose time has come, no amount of smear campaign can upturn the incontrovertible truth," he stressed.

Dr. Olaye therefore called on all political actors, traditional institutions, and community leaders in the Warri Federal Constituency to embrace the new delineation with maturity and open-mindedness, urging them to rise above ethnic bias and political greed, just as he emphasized that true peace and development can only be achieved when justice is allowed to prevail.

“There’s no need for protests or instigating conflict. This is not a time for ethnic grandstanding. It is a time to reflect on our collective future. If anyone feels aggrieved, the courts are open. But let us all rise to defend a process that finally gives every group in Warri a voice,” he stated.

Speaking further, Dr. Olaye, who said that the new ward delineation represents a victory for the common people — those whose voices have long been drowned by political manipulation, called on INEC to remain vigilant and ensure that the implementation of the new wards ahead of the 2027 general elections is smooth, inclusive, and free from sabotage.

On the perceived grievances trailing the recent creation of new wards in Warri Federal Constituency, Dr. Olaye urged the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to uphold law and order, ensuring that peace reigns across the constituency, and that no group or individual should take the law into their hands under the guise of protest while he appealed for calm and dialogue, noting that the government must provide a peaceful environment where genuine concerns can be addressed without violence or intimidation.

He further emphasized the need for Governor Oborevwori to engage all stakeholders—traditional leaders, youth groups, and political actors—inorder to de-escalate tension and foster mutual understanding. He reiterated that equity cannot flourish in chaos, and that meaningful development is only possible when there is respect for due process. 

“We must not allow this democratic gain to be derailed by unrest. I urge the Governor to ensure that security agencies are on alert and that all grievances are channeled through peaceful and lawful means,” Dr. Olaye stated.

He also used the opportunity to urge youths and grassroots leaders to participate more actively in the political process, noting that the new delineation now provides more space for diverse representation, equitable power sharing, and community-driven leadership.

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