By EgbemaVoice
WARRI — Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State have accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of interfering in the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on the fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the constituency, describing the alleged action as an attack on the rule of law and democracy.
In an open letter dated June 5, 2026 and addressed to the President, the groups cited Tinubu's March 12, 2026 statement to representatives of the Inter-Party Advisory Council at the Presidential Villa, where he said: “Democracy is about the rule of law and that the rule of law must prevail in any democracy.”
The groups said their concerns stem from the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment in SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & 9 Ors v. INEC, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in Warri South West, Warri North, and Warri South Local Government Areas.
According to the letter, the Supreme Court had on December 2, 2022 ordered INEC to carry out “a fresh delineation of all electoral wards/polling units for Warri South West, Warri North and Warri South Local Government Areas of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State for the purpose of future elections.”
The groups noted that INEC subsequently held consultations with stakeholders, conducted fieldwork between July 10 and 19, 2024, and later presented both preliminary and final reports to stakeholders.
They stated that on May 20, 2026, INEC unveiled its final delineation report, which included the creation of two additional state constituencies in Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Areas, as well as a recommendation for an additional federal constituency covering the two councils, subject to constitutional requirements.
According to the letter, the decisions were welcomed across the constituency because they addressed longstanding concerns about political representation.
However, the groups alleged that the implementation process was halted following a directive from the Presidency.
“The jubilations were cut-short when information got to us that, the Presidency has ordered INEC to stop further implementation of its final report on the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State because of issues raised by the Itsekiri ethnic nationality,” the letter stated.
The groups further alleged that the decision was influenced by the President's marital connection to the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.
Describing the alleged directive as unconstitutional, they argued that it undermines both the authority of the Supreme Court and the independence of INEC.
“Your directive to INEC to stop further implementation of the Supreme Court ordered delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State is a direct attack and desecration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the letter stated.
The groups also referenced the President's oath of office, particularly his pledge not to allow personal interests influence official decisions and to act according to the law without fear or favour.
They argued that any interference with the delineation process violates constitutional provisions and threatens democratic governance.
Citing Section 287(1) of the Constitution, the letter emphasized that: “The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.”
The groups maintained that all government institutions, including the Presidency, are constitutionally bound to enforce Supreme Court judgments.
They also cited Section 160(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the operational independence of INEC, arguing that the commission's powers and procedures are not subject to presidential approval or control.
“INEC is supposed to be independent in the performance of its functions and the constitutional independence enjoyed by INEC must be respected by all agencies of state in the interest of our nation's democracy,” the letter added.
The groups warned that undermining the Supreme Court's judgment and interfering with INEC's statutory responsibilities could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria's democracy and the rule of law.
As part of their demands, the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri called on the Federal Government to respect the constitutional independence of INEC and allow the commission to fully implement the fresh delineation ordered by the Supreme Court ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They urged the Presidency to refrain from interfering in the electoral body's statutory responsibilities and to uphold the rule of law in accordance with the Constitution.
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