Leaders of the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South LGA, Delta State has rejected the recent ward delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as unjust and unrepresentative of their population strength.
INEC’s proposal, which emerged from a Supreme Court ruling, has sparked intense debate among the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw ethnic groups.
Speaking at a press conference in Warri, on Tuesday, Hon. Matthew Poko Opuoru, Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Environment, and a former commissioner and member of the Delta State House of Assembly, criticised the allocation of only one ward to the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.
“I strongly believe that Okere-Urhobo Kingdom has the most populous area among Warri South. We have the voting strength, and our boundary is beyond imagination. The political class and the people of Okere-Urhobo are not satisfied that we are being given only one ward.
“We are appealing to those in power to ensure that we are carried along. We should be given additional wards — at least four.
“Let me categorically state that we have no problems with the Itsekiris, the Ijaws, or Agbarha. We are just advocating for what is due to us based on our population, capability, and voter strength.”
“In Okumagba Two, we have 37 units that can be split into two wards. In Okumagba One, we have 31 units. The population in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom is humongous. We are simply asking for equity” Opuoru noted.
Meanwhile, Chief Jude Onovughe Igheregbuo, Chief Venture Daniels Evwerhanre, a member of the Delta State Public Board and Ambassador Duke Ufuoma Baro, a former chairman of Okumagba Ward Two and a member of the delineation committee in their various remarks, criticised the delineation process.
The leaders, who spoke in the company of a crowd of Okere-Urhobo indigenes, maintained that their demand is rooted in fairness and electoral integrity.
Their collective appeal puts fresh pressure on INEC to revisit the delineation exercise and ensure that it upholds the principles of equity, representation, and democratic fairness in Delta State.
Read also: Itsekiri group rejects INEC’s proposed ward delineation in Warri constituency
