THE SYSTEMIC MARGINALIZATION OF THE ITSÈKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY

The continued marginalization and political disenfranchisement of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality in Delta State, Nigeria, has become a matter of grave national concern. What was once a thriving voice within the Nigerian democratic structure is today being systematically silenced through manipulative political restructuring, deliberate administrative omissions, and the outright disregard for judicial pronouncements. The recent delineation exercise carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet another example of this Calculated Oppression, one that seeks to Erase the Historical and Political Identity of the Itsekiri People.

The Itsekiri people are the aboriginal Owners and Settlers of the Warri Kingdom, an area historically comprising Three (3) Local Government Areas: Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West. These three councils formed the Warri Federal Constituency, which the Itsekiris proudly held as their political representation within Nigeria’s federal Legislative Structure. However, over the years, political maneuvering and economic interests have led to a deliberate redrawing of boundaries that now leaves the Itsekiri people without any Federal Constituency to call their own.

This unjust outcome is not just a matter of numbers, but a calculated Erasure of Identity. The same INEC that once recognized the unity of the Warri Councils under Itsekiri Leadership has now arbitrarily broken that bond. Today, the Itsekiris, owners of the land and key stakeholders in Delta State’s development, stand unrepresented.

The injustice did not begin today. As far back as 1997, INEC compressed Itsèkiri(Aboriginal Owners)Wards and expanded the Urhobos(Tenants) Wards, out of the number of Electoral Wards in Warri South Local Government Area from the original Ten(10) to Twelve(12). This move sparked widespread protests and legal action, culminating in a 2003 judgment by the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/B/109/97. The court declared the creation of the additional wards illegal and ordered a reversion to the original Ten-Ward structure.

Shockingly, over two decades later, INEC has continued to operate using the illegal Twelve-Ward configuration, in blatant disregard of the court's decision. This disregard for the rule of law speaks volumes. How does a federal institution mandated to uphold democracy and fairness selectively obey judicial pronouncements?

The Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2022 (in SC/413/2016) reaffirmed INEC’s obligation to conduct constituency reviews and delineation exercises every ten years as enshrined in Section 73(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). But again, this constitutional duty has been carried out in a selective, suspicious manner. Rather than applying a nationwide review process, INEC singled out Warri Federal Constituency in a deeply controversial fashion, while other constituencies across the country remain untouched. This raises a crucial question: Why Warri? Why now? And more importantly, why the Itsekiris?

INEC’s recent delineation effectively strips the Itsekiri people of any federal constituency representation. The people who historically formed the core of Warri’s political structure are now being pushed to the periphery of relevance. It begs the question, "HAS THE ITSÈKIRI NATION GONE INTO EXTINCTION?" If not, then how does one explain a delineation that renders the original owners of Warri politically invisible?

This is not just injustice, it is an existential crisis. It is a slow, administrative genocide of identity and voice. The very fabric of democracy is being shredded by the political manipulation of ethnic representation. INEC must be called to account for this.

The ongoing ward and constituency manipulations appear to favor groups historically referred to as "tenants" in the Warri area, those who migrated into Itsekiri land and were, over time, accommodated peacefully. Today, these same groups are gaining disproportionate political advantage through INEC’s flawed delineation, while the Itsekiris are being edged out.

This is a ticking time bomb. A Nation cannot build Peace on the foundations of Injustice. A State cannot Guarantee Unity while Institutionalizing Marginalization. Nigeria cannot boast of free and fair elections when INEC flouts court rulings and dances to the tune of political influence and ethnic favoritism.

The Itsekiri people are not asking for undue advantage. We are asking for fairness, justice, and respect for the rule of law. We are demanding that:

1. INEC revert to the original ten (10) wards in Warri South Local Government Area, as directed by the 2003 Federal High Court ruling.

2. INEC immediately halt any further discriminatory delineation of Warri Federal Constituency until all court rulings are respected and enforced.

3. A nationwide constituency delineation be carried out as mandated by the Constitution, not a selective targeting of Warri alone.

4. The Nigerian State and National Assembly should urgently investigate INEC's conduct, especially in relation to court disobedience and ethnic bias.

5. The international community should take interest in the systematic political disenfranchisement of a peace loving ethnic group in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta.

The time has come for Nigeria to prove that it is truly a democratic nation built on justice and equality. The Itsekiri people cannot and will not, be silenced in their own homeland. This ongoing injustice is not just an Itsekiri issue; it is a Nigerian issue. If we allow one group to be erased today, who is next tomorrow?

We call on the government, civil society, media, and the international community to stand with the Itsekiri Nation in this cry for justice. Let us not wait until frustration turns to resentment, and peace gives way to agitation. The time to act is now.

Signed.
Oritsegbogwa Sisanokan Bernard 
Spoke Person,
Itsèkiri Progressive Youth Movement (IPYM)

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