The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed readiness of all stakeholders of Warri federal constituency for the delineation of wards and polling units in the area.
The exercise which commences today, Tuesday, July 9, across Warri North, Warri South and Warri Southwest Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Delta state, is expected to end by Saturday, July 27.
INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu represented by Professor Rhoda Gumus, supervising Commissioner for Cross River, Delta and Edo States, made the assertion at a meeting with stakeholders drawn from the three ethnic nationalities, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo, held at the Government House Annex, Edjeba in Warri South Council area, as part of activities to kickstart the process.
It was tagged “Stakeholders meeting for the commencement of implementation of Supreme Court judgement on fresh delineation of wards and polling units in Warri federal constituency”.
The Delta South Senator, Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, represented by an aide, Dr. Andrew Egunoma; House of Representative member, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Dennis, were among top government functionaries at the meeting.
Representatives of the traditional rulers of the ethnic nationalities, accompanied by other delegates, as well as “focal contacts” from the constituency were also present.
Addressing the gathering, the INEC chairman assured all that the electoral umpire would do the right thing.
He expressed happiness that the commission was about to fulfill its promise to the people, urging them to do their part by supporting the process.
“I’m happy because the promise we made, we are here to fulfill it. We are going to do it right. The needful would be done right. We think that the ethnic groups would support us by giving us people to work with,” he said.
Speaking to reporters on the outcome of the meeting, the INEC chairman reiterated that the exercise would proceed as scheduled.
The assurance came despite the remarks from the representative of the Olu of Warri, Chief Engr. Wilson Olley, who led the Itsekiri delegation to the meeting, that the success of the exercise could not be guaranteed giving INEC’s refusal to implement an earlier judgement that ruled for the reversion to 10 ward structure, instead of 12 in the conduct of elections in Warri South LGA.
“We have come a long way. INEC is ready and I think that the three ethnic groups are ready. You know, sometimes people can voice out their minds. As at now, we are ready, the way forward is that we are ready to go. Right now we are having a meeting with the focal contacts of the stakeholders,” the INEC chairman reassured.
He commended all parties including the traditional rulers in the area for their peaceful disposition throughout the period leading to the exercise.
In his welcome address, the Delta state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sir Etekamba Umoren, maintained that over 50 workers from the national and state offices of INEC are already on the ground to commence work.
“I am pleased to welcome all participants to today’s Stakeholders meeting to herald the commencement of the implementation of the Supreme Court Judgment on the fresh delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, comprising Warri South, Warri Southwest and Warri North Local Government Areas.
“The choice of Warri South, as the venue of this Stakeholders meeting is not only premised on the fact that , Warri South Local Government Area is the Headquarters of Warri Federal Constituency, but also one of the key agreements by the Focal/Contact Persons representing the three ethnic nationalities of the Ijaws, Itsekiris and Urhobos, at a meeting held in INEC State Office, Asaba, on Friday 19th April 2024 and accepted by the Commission, hence we are here gathered today for this all-important meeting.
“It is only fitting and proper that Stakeholder engagement preceding the mobilization of the technical staff of the Commission ought to be within the precinct of the theatre of operations, in this instance, the three Local Government Areas that makeup Warri Federal Constituency.
“It is also worth noting that the calibre of representation in this meeting from the Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja, signposts the Commission’s readiness to commence field work on the fresh delineation of the Constituency in compliance with the Supreme Court Judgment.
“As we speak, over 50 persons, comprising technical officers and support staff from both National Headquarters and State office, are already on the ground, preparatory to moving into the three Local Government Areas, to commence fieldwork, from Wednesday 10th -27th July 2024.”.
Earlier in their respective speeches, government functionaries from the three ethnic nationalities in the constituency, as well as stakeholders led by representatives of the royal fathers of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities adopted the delineation exercise, promising to support INEC.
Representing the Ijaw traditional rulers (Pere) of Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Egbema, Isaba and Diebiri kingdoms, was High Chief Oyagha Heavens and representing the Urhobo traditional rulers of Okere-Urhobo Warri and Agbarha-Warri Kingdoms, was High Chief Jackson Egbedi.
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They both gave their nods for the exercise to begin, promising a peaceful and secure environment for INEC officials.
But in his remarks, the Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, through his representative, warned that the exercise would cause more trouble in the area.
“INEC is trying to cause more problem in Warri and its environs. Let’s respect the rule of law, go back to the status quo, eight ratio two wards. We cannot guarantee any process as far as the exercise is concerned,” he stated.
Speaking on the sidelines, the focal contacts for Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities, Hon Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor and Chief Westham Adehor, described the move as a “win-win situation” for the people of Warri federal constituency, positing that with time those who are not in support of the exercise would embrace it.