The Independent National Electoral Commission has made it clear that it hasn’t suspended the proposed delineation of wards in Warri Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court.
This clarification comes after reports suggested that the commission had halted the delineation process. According to INEC’s statement, “contrary to the report, the proposed delineation has not been suspended and no final decision has been taken on the matter”.
The commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta Messi, explained that the matter has been referred to the Office of the National Security Adviser, and as a result, “we cannot take any further action” at the moment. Despite this development, INEC assured that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Warri would continue as planned, using existing polling units and registration areas.
The Supreme Court had ruled in December 2022 that the existing ward delineation in Warri was outdated and directed INEC to conduct a comprehensive re delineation. Following the judgment, INEC began consultations in early 2023 and concluded fieldwork in July 2024. A draft report was presented to stakeholders at a public forum in Warri on April 4, 2025.
Members of the Urhobo and Ijaw communities from Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West Local Government Areas staged a peaceful protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding immediate implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. Their petition to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, warned that proceeding with voter registration without implementing the court-ordered delineation was unconstitutional.
The communities emphasized that “we can no longer wait while our democratic rights, guaranteed by the constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgment, are being eroded”. They urged INEC to release and implement the report prepared by stakeholders.
INEC’s clarification on the matter has brought some relief, but the commission’s next steps remain uncertain. The commission has appealed to all parties involved to maintain peace in the area.
The ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Warri will continue to use existing polling units and registration areas. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting further developments.
