Claim that Urhobos, Ijaws have more population than Itsekiri in Warri, figment of your imagination – WYC, replies ‘Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri’

Pro Itsekiri organization, Warri Youth Council, WYC, says the claim by ‘Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri’ that they have more population than Itsekiri in Warri, only exist in the figment of the imagination of persons who made the claim and “doesn't reflect what is on ground.”

The position of WYC, is coming on the heels of a press conference held in Warri, Wednesday April 30 by some Ijaws and Urhobos, regarding the controversies surrounding the proposal for ward and unit delineation, recently released at Asaba, Delta State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

In an electronic statement made available to Fresh Angle International, Friday May 2, WYC, noted that the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality is not against the Supreme Court judgment on ward delineation in Warri Federal Constituency, rather the Itsekiri Nation is “asking for fairness, Transparency and for INEC to follow its own guidelines.”

Spokesperson of WYC, Henry Omajugho, who authored the statement on behalf of the organization, urged INEC to consider the plethora of cases on ownership of Warri Federal Constituency in its final report.

Omajugho, stated inter-alia: “To begin with, the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality is not against the Supreme Court ordered Delineation, but all we the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality are asking is for INEC to follow its own guidelines and putting into consideration the plethora of cases on ownership of Warri Federal Constituency.

“The joint press conference by the Ijaws and Urhobos calling on INEC to complete the process of the fresh Delineation of electoral wards and Polling Units in the Warri Federal Constituency and release its final decision without further delay is an attempt by the two settlers  to profit from a fraud process and claim ownership of land that has already been settled legally.

“The claims by the Urhobos and the Ijaws in their joint press conference of having more populations than the Itsekiri in Warri, it's just a figment of their imagination. It is important to correct their ignorance that INEC Delineation is not determined by the population of a place, but rather it's determined by the eligible voters of a particular place and by eligible voters in INEC records the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality are far more than the Urhobos and Ijaws, which has reflected in the Electoral wards and Polling Units over the years.

“The question we want to ask, does INEC ascertain the population of a place, if you claim a higher population than the Itsekiri in their homeland, let it be evident in your area's voting register or present the statistics, not talking carelessly and foolishly.

“We are not surprised to see the Urhobos and the Ijaws hold joint  press conference, because since the duo cannot longer approach the court on ownership claim, it's now very cheaper, easier and convenient to claim it on the pages of newspapers and social media, or through INEC.

“We will not be distracted by the rumours making the rounds about arms smuggling,  as we know where it's coming from. We all know those stockpiling arms over the years and we have drawn the attention of the relevant authorities to it to do their investigation.

“Consequently, we reiterate on our call for the total rejection of the entire exercise and the investigation of the purported fieldwork report.”

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