Ward Delineation: Urhobos protest in Abuja, as INEC seeks NSA’s intervention

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has disclosed that it is currently consulting with the Office of the National Security Adviser NSA to resolve lingering disputes surrounding the ward and polling unit delineation in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

This development emerged on Wednesday as members of the Agbarha Warri Kingdom and Okere Urhobo Kingdom staged a peaceful protest at the Commission’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

The protesters expressed deep-seated frustrations over INEC’s perceived delay in releasing the report of a Supreme Court-ordered delineation, which they argue is crucial for fair representation.

Addressing the protesters on behalf of the Commission, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, emphasized that the matter has been elevated to a top priority.

He revealed that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is directly engaging with the nation’s security apparatus to ensure a peaceful and lawful resolution.

“Thank you most sincerely for the peaceful approach you have adopted on this issue. On behalf of the Commission, let me assure you that this is on the top of the agenda of the Commission. In fact, the Chairman is already talking with the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure that these matters are resolved,” Zuru said.

Zuru reassured the delegation that the Commission is committed to inclusivity, noting that INEC is “equally concerned about ensuring that every eligible community fully participates in the next round of elections.”

The protest was sparked by a long-standing legal battle. In 2022, the Supreme Court ordered a fresh delineation of the constituency to correct historical injustices in the ward structures.

While INEC presented a preliminary report in April 2025 in Asaba—allocating new wards across the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo areas—the final report remains pending.

Community leaders, who submitted a formal petition to the INEC Chairman, argued that the preliminary figures still do not accurately reflect their demographic strength.

Leader of the Warri Urhobo delegation, Chief Adehor Westham pointed out that while they allowed the 2023 elections to proceed out of patriotism, their patience is wearing thin.

“If the wards in Warri South are to be 20, the Okere-Urhobo and Agbarha-Warri kingdoms should not get less than 13 or 14 wards. After the preliminary report, they said there was a little problem and the matter was taken to the National Security Adviser,” Westham explained.

The delay has created a sense of political uncertainty, particularly regarding the upcoming February 18 ward congress of the All Progressives Congress APC.

Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “INEC must obey the law” and “Urhobos of Warri are majority in Warri South LGA,” questioning which structure would be utilized for these exercises.

Westham issued a stern warning regarding the potential for further legal action if the Commission fails to act before the political activities commence.

“Which ward are they going to use? Is it the wards the Supreme Court has nullified? Are they trying to disenfranchize us? If they do not announce it before the congress, we may go to court because you cannot disobey the highest court in the land,” he stated.

Also speaking, Chief Louis Okumagba noted that INEC officials had already concluded physical fieldwork across all ethnic territories in Warri South.

He insisted that with the groundwork completed, there should be no further hesitation in releasing the final report to satisfy the requirements of justice.

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