Urhobo, Ijaw Declares No Implementation of Delineation Report No Election By ODEYA OGBETUO
The Urhobos and Ijaws have declared that no implementation of INEC Ward Delineation Report no election in the Warri Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
This was the resolution during the world press conference of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of the Warri Federal Constituency on the Supreme Court ordered delineation of the electoral wards and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) held in Warri, Delta State.
In press a statement duly signed by the leaders of Urhobos and Ijaws: Dr. Joel Bisina, High Chief Dr. Godspower T. D. A. Gbenekama JP, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye JP, Olorogun Victor Okumagba JP, Rev. Sam Ako, Chief Monday Keme, Chief John Eravor, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Vero Tangbowei JP, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Mrs. Ann Gagiyovwi JP among others and read by Olorogun Victor Okumagba stated that last year a world press conference was held in Warri calling on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the report of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Suit No. SC/413/2006 but up till now, INEC refused to implement the delineation report, adding that it was resolved that no implementation of delineation report, no election in Warri Federal Constituency in 2027.
“It is with great sadness, yet unbroken resolve, that we, the undersigned representatives of the INDIGENOUS Ijaw and Urhobo People of Warri Federal Constituency bring to your attention the alarming plan of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undermine and debase the rule of law, suppress and strangulate our fundamental democratic rights to participate in the electoral processes, and unconscionably deal a death blow to democracy in Warri, Delta State.”
“We are not unaware that some of the previous exercises (wards delineation) did not follow the relevant laws and guidelines, resulting in the skewed results in some instances. These were obviously designed to satisfy certain selfish interests. Such imbalances will be redressed using laid-down criteria. (INEC report of activities August, 1998 to December 1999).”
After INEC’s damning admission of lawlessness in gerrymandering Warri sought judicial report. In Suite No. SC/413/2016, Hon George U. Timinimi and ors VS INEC, the Hon. Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Jsc in the following words at page 2 of judgement rearticulated fact in issue, inter alia:
“It is their contention that there are in existence fictitious wards, that in some instances, multiple wards are located in sparsely populated areas while the wards and units in some other areas are inadequate vis-à-vis the population. It is also contended that the registration of voters in some instances were done in private homes. On the whole, the failure of the respondent to deliberately carry out its statutory duty in this regard has led to a series of irregularities in the process of voter’s registration which in turn will affect the outcome of any future elections negatively”.
They pointed out that in compliance with the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation, INEC held several critical stakeholders meetings with representatives of the indigenous ethnic groups in Asaba, the Delta State capital ,adding that INEC held a stakeholder meeting on February 2, 2023, to inform stakeholders of the judgement delivered in George Timinimi & Nine ors Vs the INEC and pleaded that they should be allowed to complete the 2023 electoral process which had started before the judgement was delivered, a plea stakeholders obliged INEC.
“It is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgement by INEC proceeding with the registration of voters in Warri Federal Constituency as there are no longer in existence electoral wards and units upon which the ongoing voter’s registration can stand. The Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State having exhausted all legal means including judgment of the Supreme Court on fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units have no other option than to take our destiny into our hands.”
“We shall use all possible means necessary to ensure that there is no election in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State in 2027.”
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