WARD DELINEATION: ITSEKIRI GROUP FAULTS EQUAL WARD ALLOCATION FOR IJAW
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Warri North Itsekiri Rebirth Forum has rejected the proposed ward delineation matrix allocating 10 wards each to the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, describing the arrangement as unfair and inconsistent with electoral realities.
Speaking on Monday in Obitugbu, Warri North, the forum’s chairman, Hon. David Edun, urged the National Assembly to thoroughly scrutinise the proposal before taking any legislative action.
Edun said the group considered the proposed delineation fundamentally flawed, arguing that it failed to reflect the demographic strength and voting population of the Itsekiri people.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend implementation of the proposal, insisting that it would undermine the political rights and democratic aspirations of the Itsekiri.
According to him, INEC’s 2023 Register of Voters shows that the Itsekiri occupy six wards with 134 polling units and 75,912 registered voters, while the Ijaw have four wards with 58 polling units and 34,480 registered voters.
He questioned how the commission arrived at an equal allocation of 10 wards for each ethnic group despite the disparity in registered voters and polling units.
The forum urged INEC to disclose the methodology used in arriving at the proposed delineation and review the exercise to ensure it aligns with constitutional provisions, verified demographic data and its own official records.
Edun also appealed to members of the National Assembly to ensure the exercise complies with the principles of fairness, equity and democratic representation before approving it.
The group further criticised individuals it accused of negotiating on behalf of the Itsekiri without consulting the affected communities, stressing that no one had been authorised to reach any agreement on the sensitive issue.
It declared that any agreement reached without the consent of the Itsekiri people of Warri North was invalid and not binding on the communities.
The forum said it no longer recognised those individuals as representatives of the collective interest of the Itsekiri people and urged government institutions to engage only with credible representatives who enjoy the confidence of the communities.
Reaffirming its position, the group called on INEC to revisit the proposed ward delineation in line with constitutional provisions and the principles of justice, fairness and equity.
The forum also expressed concern over reports of alleged kidnappings, unlawful detention, intimidation and torture of some Itsekiri residents who reportedly refused to support the interests of certain individuals.
It called on President Bola Tinubu, the Delta State Government, the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The group warned that ignoring such complaints could threaten peace and security, stressing that early intervention was necessary to prevent further escalation and protect democratic values.
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