Leaders of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo communities in the Warri Federal Constituency have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with the Supreme Court ruling by completing the fresh delineation of electoral wards before starting voter registration in the area.
Speaking at a world press conference in Warri on Monday, the leaders insisted that continuing voter registration without first completing proper ward delineation is both unlawful and a clear disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Presenting the group’s unified stance, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, a respected figure from the Okere Urhobo Kingdom, stated that they have decided to boycott the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) until INEC fully complies with the Supreme Court’s directive.
The group reminded the public that on December 2, 2022, the Supreme Court, in the case of Hon. George Timinimi & Others vs INEC, directed the electoral commission to carry out a fresh delineation of wards and polling units in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas.
The leaders claimed that although INEC held multiple stakeholder meetings and presented a draft delineation report in April 2025, it has still not released the final version. They stressed that moving forward with elections or voter registration without enforcing the Supreme Court judgment is a threat to democratic principles.
Other speakers at the press conference — Chief Godspower Gbenakama, Dr. Joel Bisina, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, and Chief John Eranvor — called on INEC to “immediately release and implement the detailed report developed through stakeholder engagement,” emphasizing that doing so is essential to ensuring fairness and rebuilding trust in the electoral process.
They cautioned that although they have the power to disrupt oil operations in their communities, they remain dedicated to using peaceful and democratic avenues to seek justice.
“We shall not idly stand by and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility. A stitch in time saves nine,” the leaders concluded.
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