WARRI – Tension is rising in parts of Delta State as leaders and stakeholders from the indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo communities in the Warri Federal Constituency have threatened to boycott the 2027 general elections, or resist any attempt to conduct polls in the area, over the delayed release of ward delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At a joint press conference held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, the groups accused INEC of failing to implement and publish the court-ordered delineation of electoral wards as directed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The stakeholders, drawn from Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North local government areas, comprising elders, women and youths, alleged that the delay suggests undue influence by vested interests determined to sustain what they described as minority dominance in the Warri axis.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Chief Victor Okumagba of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom warned that the communities would take firm action if the electoral body fails to release the delineation report ahead of the next general elections.
“We will use every legitimate means to ensure that no election holds in Warri Federal Constituency in 2027 if this injustice continues,” he said.
The leaders recalled that the apex court, in December 2022, ordered INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards in Warri. While they acknowledged that the exercise was carried out, they expressed disappointment over the commission’s failure to make the report public.
High Chief Dr. Godspower T.D.A. Gbenekama of Gbaramatu Kingdom decried what he described as repeated delays and unfulfilled assurances from the electoral body.
“We are tired of broken assurances. If INEC fails to act, we will boycott the 2027 elections to demand fairness and proper representation,” he said, warning that the delay could disenfranchise a large number of voters in the constituency.
He further disclosed that security agencies had previously intervened during earlier protests, but insisted that the communities would no longer remain silent on the matter.
Other speakers expressed similar concerns, warning that continued inaction could spark unrest.
Chief Denbo Denbofa Oweikpodor of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom stressed that the delineation exercise is a constitutional requirement already affirmed by the courts and must be fully implemented.
The stakeholders also accused INEC of yielding to external pressure and disregarding long-standing reports and recommendations dating back to the 1990s, which they said had fuelled persistent marginalisation in the area.
Women leaders, including Chief (Mrs.) Onome Okumagba and Chief Vero Tangbowei, vowed to mobilise resistance if the court’s judgment is not enforced, insisting that no election should be allowed to hold without proper delineation.
A cleric, Rev. Akoh Samuel, added that “justice delayed is justice denied”, warning that the communities would not tolerate further delays.
The groups called on international observers and the Federal Government to intervene, cautioning that failure to resolve the matter could undermine electoral integrity and threaten peace in Warri.
They maintained that their agitation goes beyond electoral boundaries, stressing that it is about protecting democratic rights and ensuring fair representation.