By EgbemaVoice
The recently concluded delineation exercise across the three Warri Local Government Areas—Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North—comprising the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta South Senatorial District, has entered a contentious and politically sensitive phase.
The exercise, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the delineation report is under the supervision of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Rtd Mallam Nuhu Ribadu
initially appeared to follow due process. The preliminary report was submitted to stakeholders from the three major ethnic nationalities—Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri—for review and feedback. This move followed persistent calls for justice, equity, and compliance with a Supreme Court judgment mandating fair political delineation across federal constituencies.
However, the process has now sparked serious controversy. Reports indicate that the delineation matter has been abruptly moved from the purview of the NSA’s office to the Presidency, raising concerns of political interference.
Credible sources allege that the shift was prompted by resistance from powerful interests after both the NSA and INEC reportedly refused to manipulate the delineation outcome. The intervention is allegedly linked to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is said to be of Itsekiri origin, and the Chief of Staff to the President.
According to insider reports, the First Lady is accused of:
1. Forcing INEC to initiate a fresh ward delineation process;
2. Pressuring INEC to alter or tamper with the previously submitted results;
3. Attempting to suppress the report altogether, allowing it to be buried quietly in Abuja’s political corridors.
These claims have triggered an outcry, particularly from the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities, who view the developments as a deliberate attempt to marginalize their long-overdue call for equity in political representation.
The delineation effort was widely regarded as a long-awaited step toward correcting historic imbalances in Warri’s political structure. Civil society organizations, ethnic leaders, and community stakeholders are now calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to uphold the principles of justice, transparency, and the rule of law.
As the nation awaits the official final report from INEC, stakeholders stress the importance of resisting any form of ethnic favoritism or political manipulation. The Warri Federal Constituency, they argue, deserves a just and equitable delineation process that reflects the demographic reality and respects the will of the people—not the interests of a few..
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