The Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to order over a controversial ward delineation exercise in the three Warri Local Government Areas of Delta State.
During a peaceful protest in Warri, INYC members rejected the outcome of the exercise, accusing INEC of favoring Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic interests at the expense of the Itsekiri people.
The group also condemned the alleged use of teargas and force by security agents on protesters at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) gate and the Nigeria Gas Company facility in Ubeji.
Speaking to journalists, INYC President Emeritus, Comrade Godwin Utienyin, alleged that the delineation report announced by INEC was manipulated and not based on credible fieldwork. He claimed the report was written and sponsored by political actors from the Ijaw ethnic group.
“We are calling on President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, to urgently address this injustice.”
“Ward delineation should reflect existing structures and follow due process, not be dictated by political influence, ”Utienyin said.
Utienyin detailed the changes, stating that:
In Warri South West, the number of wards increased from 10 to 19, reducing Itsekiri wards from 6 to 5, while the Ijaw increased from 4 to 14.
In Warri North, the wards increased from 10 to 18, with the Ijaw gaining 10 wards and the Itsekiri reduced to 8.
In Warri South, 3 new Ijaw wards were allegedly created, despite the group’s original alignment with Warri South West.
The INYC described the process as “a clear attempt to marginalize the Itsekiri people,” and called for a full investigation into the delineation exercise.
The group also condemned the alleged violent response by security forces, stating that several vehicles and properties were damaged or seized during the protest.
They urged the Delta State Government to direct security agencies to return confiscated items and compensate for any destruction.
INEC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
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