The Warri Strategic Forum (WSF), a socio-cultural organization representing the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, has rejected the ward and constituency delineation reports for the Warri Federal Constituency released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the exercise as fraudulent and biased.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of WSF, Professor Lucky Akaruese, and Secretary, Dr. Patrick Fregene, the group alleged that the delineation exercise was deliberately designed to favour one group at the expense of another, warning that it threatens the political and constitutional standing of the Itsekiri people.
The group argued that while it respects the Supreme Court judgment in suit SC.413/2016, which directed a fresh delineation exercise, the ruling did not authorize what it described as a flawed process allegedly marred by bias, manipulation, and administrative irregularities.
According to WSF, the process goes beyond administrative errors and represents what it termed a calculated attempt to politically marginalize and weaken the indigenous Itsekiri people within the Nigerian federation.
The forum further claimed that the delineation exercise appears aimed at altering ethnic and political realities in the Warri Federal Constituency, stressing that the Itsekiri people would resist any move perceived as a threat to their constitutional relevance.
The group disclosed that it had already submitted formal complaints to the national headquarters of INEC and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), while outlining a series of demands to address the situation.
Among its demands, WSF called for the immediate cancellation and withdrawal of both the April 4, 2025 proposed ward delineation report and the constituency delineation report released on May 20, 2026.
The group also urged the Federal Government to establish an independent panel to investigate alleged cases of data falsification and what it described as compromises involving electoral officials during the delineation process.
WSF further called for the prosecution of any electoral officials found guilty of manipulating geographic information systems (GIS) or creating what it referred to as phantom polling units.
It also insisted that any future boundary adjustments should be based on historical realities, physical community verification, existing court rulings, and recognized ancestral boundaries.
While urging Itsekiri youths and residents of riverine communities to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could escalate tensions, the group maintained that it would continue to pursue legal and constitutional means in challenging the exercise.
WSF reaffirmed its determination to resist what it described as institutional injustice, stating that the Itsekiri people would continue to defend their identity and ancestral heritage through lawful channels.
Itsekiri Group Rejects INEC’s Warri Ward Delineation, Demands Independent Probe
