Ward Delineation: Egbema Youth Council Faults Itsekiri Group, Declares Ijaws Majority in Warri North,
Ward Delineation: Egbema Youth Council Faults Itsekiri Group, Declares Ijaws Majority in Warri North
..... Urges Itsekiri Groups to Respect INEC Ward Delineation, Supreme Court Judgment
By EgbemaVoice,
The Egbema Youth Council (EYC) Worldwide has called on Itsekiri groups to respect the final ward delineation for Warri North Local Government Area as implemented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.
In a press statement signed by President General Amatelemowei A. Sode, Esq., General Secretary Engr. Gift Erin-Ebimi, and Public Relations Officer Comr. Ugure Famous, the council commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and INEC for upholding the rule of law and implementing the apex court's directive.
The council maintained that the current delineation followed extensive field verification and constitutional procedures, stressing that the previous ward structure had already been nullified by the Supreme Court. It also noted that the final allocation of ten wards each to the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups reflected a compromise aimed at promoting peace and inter-ethnic harmony.
The EYC urged all political stakeholders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and community leaders to accept the final outcome, avoid inflammatory statements, and embrace dialogue, justice, equity, and peaceful coexistence.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democratic institutions, respecting judicial decisions, and promoting lasting peace and sustainable development across the Warri Federal Constituency.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EGBEMA YOUTH COUNCIL (EYC) WORLDWIDE URGES ITSEKIRI GROUPS TO RESPECT THE FINAL WARD DELINEATION AND UPHOLD THE RULE OF LAW
The Egbema Youth Council (EYC) Worldwide, the apex youth body representing the youths of Egbema Kingdom, has noted with concern the statement issued by the Warri North Itsekiri Rebirth Forum rejecting the implemented ward delineation for Warri North Local Government Area.
While every individual and group is constitutionally entitled to freedom of expression, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. We therefore urge our Itsekiri brothers and sisters to respect the final outcome of the ward delineation exercise, which was implemented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in faithful compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for demonstrating fidelity to the Constitution and the authority of the Supreme Court by implementing the delineation exercise. Contrary to the impression being created in certain quarters, the exercise was neither the product of political bargaining nor ethnic sentiment. It was founded on extensive field verification, empirical findings, and the constitutional responsibility vested exclusively in INEC. The Commission visited the affected communities, assessed the demographic and geographical realities on the ground, and implemented the directive of the apex court accordingly.
During a recent press conference, the Warri North Itsekiri Rebirth Forum argued that INEC's 2023 Register of Voters indicates that the Itsekiri have six wards comprising 134 polling units and 75,912 registered voters, while the Ijaw have four wards comprising 58 polling units and 34,480 registered voters.
It is, however, surprising that the Forum continues to rely on figures derived from the previous ward structure, which had already been nullified by the Supreme Court. The judgment delivered in Suit No. SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & Ors. v. INEC unequivocally set aside the previous fraudulent electoral ward and polling units arrangement in the Warri Federal Constituency and directed INEC to undertake a fresh delineation exercise. Consequently, arguments founded on the former arrangement cannot invalidate or diminish a delineation lawfully carried out pursuant to the judgment of the highest court in the land.
It is equally important to place the current discourse within its proper historical context. According to our understanding of the delineation exercise, the initial outcome allocated ten wards to the Ijaw communities and eight wards to the Itsekiri communities in Warri North Local Government Area. However, before the final declaration, INEC, in the overriding interest of promoting peaceful coexistence, reviewed the allocation and ultimately approved ten wards each for both ethnic groups.
From our perspective, this represented a deliberate political compromise intended to preserve peace and strengthen inter-ethnic harmony rather than a strict reflection of the demographic realities and settlement patterns established during the exercise. The Egbema Ijaw communities accepted this compromise in good faith, placing regional stability and peaceful coexistence above sectional interests. Although there were legitimate grounds upon which the original allocation could have been maintained, the Egbema Ijaw people consciously embraced restraint and statesmanship in the broader interest of preserving lasting peace within the Warri Federal Constituency.
We further maintain that the demographic realities and settlement pattern within Warri North Local Government Area do not support the narrative currently being advanced by certain groups. It is our position that the combined population of Polobubou and Opuama communities exceeds the entire Itsekiri population within Warri North Local Government Area. In our view, this demographic reality significantly informed the initial outcome of the delineation exercise before the eventual compromise adopted by INEC in the overall interest of peace.
Notwithstanding this demographic reality, the Egbema Ijaws did not insist on retaining every advantage arising from the initial delineation. Instead, they accepted the final outcome in good faith, demonstrating maturity, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to peaceful coexistence rather than the pursuit of maximum political advantage.
It is therefore disappointing that, despite these significant concessions, certain groups have continued to disseminate publications capable of creating unnecessary controversy and misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding the delineation exercise. Such narratives neither strengthen democratic institutions nor promote public confidence in constitutional processes. Rather, they risk undermining the peaceful coexistence that all stakeholders have worked diligently to preserve.
The Egbema Youth Council Worldwide therefore calls on all political stakeholders, traditional institutions, community leaders, youth organizations, and interest groups to exercise restraint, respect the final delineation as implemented by INEC pursuant to the judgment of the Supreme Court, and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric capable of heightening ethnic tensions. The people of Warri North deserve constructive engagement founded on facts, justice, equity, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to sustainable peace and development.
We therefore call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of Delta State, and all security agencies to caution individuals and groups whose statements or actions are capable of threatening the peace and stability of Warri North. While we respect the right to express opinions in a democracy, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. All stakeholders are urged to prioritize peace, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
The council remain steadfast in its commitment to justice, peace, equity, and harmonious coexistence among all ethnic nationalities within the Warri Federal Constituency. As the foremost youth organization of the Egbema Kingdom, we reaffirm our commitment to constructive dialogue, respect for judicial decisions, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and collaboration with all stakeholders in the collective pursuit of peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Signed
Amatelemowei A. Sode, Esq, LL.B, BL. President General,
Egbema Youth Council (EYC) Worldwide.
Engr. Gift Erin-Ebimi, General Secretary EYC.
Comr. Ugure Famous, P.R.O EYC.
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