LETTER OF PROTEST

The Chairman,

Independent National Electoral Commission,

Plot 436 Zambezi Crescent,

Maitama District, FCT,

Abuja, Nigeria.

Dear sir,

             *LETTER OF PROTEST* 

We the focal persons of itsekiri ethnic nationality - Warri south, Warri south-west and Warri North reject the proposed report emanating from the field work that was done. Firstly, we were a part of the team that went on ground to carry out the field work by the INEC officials and we can confidently assert that the localities visited in warri south-west, warri south and warri north were not properly captured in the report that was submitted. The existing wards and units in the various areas of these three local government areas were not reflected in the proposed report submitted at the stakeholders meeting and as such we are rejecting it in its entirety. We want to bring it to your attention that the committee set up to carry out the excercise is bias. 

 Secondly, we want to further bring to your notice as to how an existing ward with 60 polling units was left to maintain status quo while a ward with 23 polling units was split into two wards and another ward of about 48 polling unit was split into 9 wards. These arrangements boggles us to ask, What are the rationale behind the setting up of these new wards with lesser polling units and even collapsing two existing wards with more polling units than the newly created ones into one ward. These arrangement is unfair, it's not logical and it is not justice. 

     Thirdly, we want to remind the commission that the provision and section of the law that gives INEC power to create polling units is by virtue of population increase in a specific unit for expansion. We have more polling units and what ought to be justifiable to create more wards for us. 

Lastly, We demand to know the rationale as to the following 

*1* How a ward of 68 polling units was split into 9 wards and in same vein, a ward of 60 polling units was left to maintain status quo.

*2* Why were two existing wards merged to create one ward?

*3* How did an area which has been known not to have an existing ward under a particular locality get the proposed establishment of two wards in it? 

Below is the detail of the existing and also proposed wards and units in Warri-south west local government area:

*EXISTING WARDS AND POLLING UNITS IN WARRI SOUTH-WEST*

ITSEKIRI AREA 

AJA-DAIBOR 1 PU 12

AKPAKPA 1 PU 13

UGBORODO 1 PU 60

MADANGHO 1 PU 15

ORERE 1 PU 60

OGIDIGBEN 1 PU 15

IJAW AREA 

OGBE-IJOH 1 PU 41

ISABA 1 PU 25

OPORAZA 1 PU 23

GBERAMATU 1 PU 68

*PROPOSED WARDS AND POLLING UNITS BY INEC IN WARRI SOUTH WEST LGA* 

ITSEKIRI AREA 

AJA-DAIBOR/AKPAKPA 1 PU 25

UGBORODO 1 PU 60

MADANGHO 1 PU 15

ORERE 1 PU 60

OGIDIGBEN 1 PU 15

IJAW AREA WARD IN UNI

OGBE-IJOH 4 PU 41

ISABA 1 PU 25

OPORAZA 4 PU 23

GBERAMATU 5 PU 68

Mr chairman, INEC should be seen as an independent electoral umpire in facilitating an exercise and not to be seen as a compromised institution in favor of one section. The commission has only given us a perception of it not being neutral and by virtue of the outcome of the field work we would like to state that the proposed report was sealed and given to us without feedback from us. We the focal persons will not accept these proposed arrangements and we vehemently reject it in its entirety. We await your response and remain fervent that it be favorable.

Hon Dr Andrew Omagbemi Igban

×