Continuous Voter Registration: Ijaw, Urhobo Leaders Urge INEC to Obey Supreme Court on Warri Ward Delineation

Leaders of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo peoples in the Warri Federal Constituency have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obey the Supreme Court judgment and complete the fresh delineation of electoral wards before proceeding with voter registration in the area.

The leaders made the demand during a world press conference in Warri on Monday, warning that the continued voter registration exercise without proper ward delineation was illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court ruling.

Reading the joint position, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, a prominent son of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, said the group had resolved not to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) until INEC complies with the apex court order.

“It is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgment for INEC to proceed with voter registration in Warri Federal Constituency, as there are no longer valid electoral wards and units upon which the registration can stand,” Okumagba declared.

The group recalled that on December 2, 2022, the Supreme Court, in the case of Hon. George Timinimi & Ors vs INEC, ordered the electoral commission to conduct a fresh delineation of wards and polling units in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North local government areas.

Representatives of Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency.

Despite holding several stakeholder meetings and presenting a draft delineation report in April 2025, INEC has yet to publish the final version, the leaders alleged, insisting that proceeding with elections or voter registration without implementing the judgment undermines democracy.

Other speakers at the press conference, including Chief Godspower Gbenakama, Dr. Joel Bisina, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, and Chief John Eranvor, urged INEC to “immediately release and implement the painstaking report embarked upon by stakeholders” in order to guarantee fairness and restore confidence in the electoral process.

They warned that while they are capable of shutting down oil operations in their communities, they remain committed to pursuing democratic and peaceful means to secure justice.

“We shall not idly stand by and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility. A stitch in time saves nine,” the leaders concluded.