Warri: Demand for immediate implementation of proposal for delineation, raises fundamental questions about constitutional compliance, IYE tackles Ijaw, Urhobo groups

The leadership of Itsekiri Young Elites, IYE, says demand for the immediate implementation of INEC's second proposal for delineation of units, wards and constituenies in Warri Federal Constituency, raises fundamental questions about fairness, historical accuracy and constitutional compliance.

IYE, in a statement made available to Fresh Angle International Monday night, while responding to protest organised by some Ijaw and Urhobo groups earlier same day, stressed that the 2022 Supreme Court judgement on delineation of wards and units in Warri Federal Constituency, did not authorize the inflation of settlements.

The President and Secretary of Itsekiri Young Elites, Comrade Lily - white O. Esigbone and Comrade Tuoyo Eboma, in the statement, argued that judicial authorities have consistently emphasized the need to respect historical realities, lawful boundaries and constitutional requirements in matters affecting Warri and its constituent communities.

The statement, reads inter - alia :"The recent protest organized by some Ijaw and Urhobo groups earlier today demanding the immediate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s proposed delineation report for Warri Federal Constituency raises fundamental questions about fairness, historical accuracy, constitutional compliance, and the integrity of the entire delineation process.

"While every Nigerian possesses the constitutional right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, public discourse on a matter of such profound importance must be anchored on verifiable facts, established history, and judicial authorities rather than political narratives capable of distorting historical realities. The issue before the people of Warri is not merely whether a report should be implemented; rather, it is whether a report that has generated widespread objections and serious concerns among stakeholders should be allowed to redefine the political future of communities whose identities, territorial existence, and traditional institutions have long been recognized by history and law.

"Itsekiri people, both at home and in the diaspora, have never based their position on sentiment, political convenience, or ethnic superiority. Our position is rooted in documented history, colonial records, government gazettes, traditional institutions, and judicial pronouncements that have over the years acknowledged the existence of Itsekiri communities and the historical authority of Warri Kingdom within the areas that today constitute Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West Local Government Areas.

"For centuries, Warri Kingdom existed as a recognized political entity with clearly identifiable territories under the authority and Overlordship of the Olu of Warri long before the emergence of modern electoral structures. Long before the creation of local governments, electoral wards, or polling units, Itsekiri communities occupied, administered, and exercised traditional authority over vast areas within present day Warri Federal Constituency, which is the ancestral homeland of the Itsekiri's.These historical realities cannot be erased, altered, or redefined through administrative exercises by INEC that fail to reflect established facts on the ground.

"More importantly, judicial authorities have consistently emphasized the need to respect historical realities, lawful boundaries, and constitutional requirements in matters affecting Warri and its constituent communities. The Supreme Court judgment delivered on 2 December 2022 directed INEC to undertake a fresh delineation exercise within Warri Federal Constituency in accordance with constitutional requirements and existing realities on the ground. The judgment was intended to ensure fair representation and compliance with electoral principles, not to create disputes over the existence, identity, or historical status of communities. 

" It is imperative to state that the concern of many Itsekiri stakeholders is that the proposed delineation report appears to contain numerous inconsistencies which require thorough review and clarification before any implementation. Various stakeholders, some Ijohs of Ogbe Ijoh and Urhobo's of Agbassa have also questioned the basis upon which certain settlements, wards, polling units, and community classifications were arrived at during the field exercise. These concerns include allegations of duplicated settlements, disputed community classifications, inconsistencies in population representation, and questions regarding the methodology adopted during the delineation process. Such concerns deserve transparent investigation rather than outright dismissal.

"The 2022 Supreme Court judgment did not authorize the inflation of settlements, the creation of questionable electoral structures, or the alteration of established historical and demographic realities in Warri Federal Constituency. Any delineation exercise that fails to accurately reflect verifiable settlements and constitutional principles risks undermining public confidence in the process and generating avoidable tension among the constituent ethnic nationalities of Warri Federal Constituency. 

"Equally troubling is the attempt by some groups to portray every objection to the proposed report as opposition to the Supreme Court judgment. Such a narrative is misleading. The Itsekiri position has consistently been that the judgment must be obeyed faithfully and implemented in a manner consistent with facts, constitutional provisions, and realities on the ground. Demanding transparency, accountability, and accuracy in the implementation process does not amount to resistance against the judiciary; rather, it reflects respect for the rule of law.

"No democratic institution should be pressured into implementing a disputed report without first addressing credible concerns raised by affected stakeholders. Sustainable peace in Warri can only be achieved through fairness, transparency, and broad stakeholder confidence. "Any attempt to impose a controversial report without resolving legitimate concerns risks deepening divisions and creating avoidable tension within the constituency.

"As questions continue to emerge regarding the conduct of the Warri Federal Constituency delineation exercise and report, all INEC officials, consultants, committee members, and persons involved in the process should be willing to subject their actions to public scrutiny and lawful investigation where necessary. If any evidence of misconduct, manipulation, abuse of office, or violation of constitutional procedures is established by competent authorities, appropriate legal processes should take their course in accordance with the law. However, such determinations must be based on evidence and due process rather than speculation or political pressure.

"The repeated attempt to frame this controversy as a contest between democracy and anti democratic forces ignores a fundamental truth; democracy is not merely about numerical outcomes; it is about justice, equity, transparency, and adherence to due process. "A delineation exercise that fails to command public confidence cannot serve as a foundation for lasting peace or credible representation.

"As young Itsekiri professionals drawn from diverse fields and backgrounds, we maintain that the path forward must be guided by historical truth, legality, constitutional compliance, historical realities, and fairness. INEC owes all stakeholders a duty to transparently address the concerns raised regarding the proposed delineation report and ensure that any final outcome reflects verifiable facts, judicial directives, constitutional provisions, and the realities existing within Warri Federal Constituency. 

" Itsekiri people are not seeking special privileges. They are demanding what every democratic society owes its citizens; justice founded upon truth, fairness founded upon law, and representation founded upon facts. Warri Federal Constituency was not built on fiction, and its future must not be determined by controversy, uncertainty, or unresolved questions. History matters; the Constitution matters; Judicial authorities matter; and ultimately, justice must matter most."

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