INEC Proposed Ward Delineation: OAWDA Replies Niger Delta Scholars’ Outburst

By Ambrose Ologide

Foremost Agbarha Warri socio-cultural group, Okugbe Agbarha Warri Development Association (OAWDA) has replied an Ijaw group, Niger Delta Scholars, on its outburst on the people of Agbarha Warri Kingdom over the proposed Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency widely published on the social media.

This was contained in a statement issued by Deacon Ejiroghene Ibuakevwe and Mr Godwin Ekpe, President and Public Relations Officer (PRO) of OAWDA respectively, made available to newsmen in Warri on Thursday 28th May, 2026.

The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the publication issued by a group under the name “Niger Delta Scholars” concerning the recent ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency and the subsequent attempt to malign and misrepresent the position of the Agbarha-Warri people regarding the ownership, identity, and political structure of Warri South Local Government Area.

“Ordinarily, we the Agbarha-Warri people would have ignored such inflammatory and provocative statements designed to incite ethnic tension and distort historical realities, but silence in the face of deliberate falsehood may be misconstrued as acceptance. We therefore find it necessary to place facts on record for the benefit of the general public, stakeholders, and relevant government authorities.

“First and foremost, we the Agbarha-Warri people appreciate and acknowledge the role played by the Ijaw people in pursuing the legal action that eventually led to the Supreme Court judgment delivered on 2nd December 2022 ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out a fresh delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency. There is no doubt that the Urhobos of Warri South Local Government Area are among the beneficiaries of that judgment and the ongoing delineation process. However, it must be clearly stated that the Ijaws did not institute the legal action because of the political marginalization of the Urhobos in Warri South Local Government Area. The suit was principally driven by grievances arising from the political suppression, underrepresentation, and perceived domination of the Ijaws by the Itsekiris in Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Areas.

“It is public knowledge that some Ijaw communities and wards in the past were allegedly affected by political and administrative arrangements which the Ijaws perceived to have been influenced against them, including controversies surrounding electoral and territorial alignments towards Ondo State. It was these grievances concerning political representation, electoral delineation, and suppression in Warri North and Warri South West that formed the central basis of the legal action which eventually culminated in the Supreme Court judgment of 2nd December 2022. It is therefore inaccurate and misleading for anyone to create the impression that the litigation was instituted primarily for the benefit of the Urhobos of Warri South Local Government Area alone.

“It is also important to clarify that the ward delineation exercise released by INEC during the stakeholders’ meeting held in Asaba on 20th May, 2026 was merely a proposal and not a final report as is now being falsely claimed in some quarters. INEC itself has consistently maintained that the delineation process remains subject to further consultations, observations, reviews, and possible adjustments before any final decision is taken. Reports and statements issued by INEC officials have clearly indicated that what was presented to stakeholders was a proposed delineation arrangement intended to generate further engagement among the affected ethnic nationalities and communities.It is therefore misleading and capable of creating unnecessary tension for anybody to present the proposed delineation as a concluded or irreversible final exercise.

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“The people of Warri Federal Constituency, especially affected indigenous communities, still reserve the right to raise objections, observations, and concerns where necessary in the interest of justice, peace, and fairness.

“The Agbarha-Warri people have always maintained peaceful coexistence with the Ijaw people and other ethnic nationalities resident in Warri. The Ijaws are our neighbours, and history has shown that both ethnic groups have coexisted for decades in peace and mutual respect. However, peaceful coexistence and neighbourliness cannot and must not be interpreted as ownership of Agbarha-Warri ancestral lands or territorial rights over areas historically known and recognized as belonging to Agbarha-Warri people.

“The recent proposal released by INEC in Asaba has unfortunately created serious concerns among peace-loving stakeholders in Warri South Local Government Area, particularly with the apparent attempt to carve out and create wards for the Ogbe-Ijoh people within areas traditionally and historically recognized as Agbarha-Warri lands. This development has generated widespread apprehension and has the potential to create avoidable tension, distrust, and unrest within Warri South LGA if not urgently addressed with fairness, equity, and strict adherence to historical and legal realities.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there are existing judicial pronouncements and legal authorities concerning claims of land ownership in Warri. Several court cases over the years have dealt extensively with ownership claims involving Ogbe-Ijoh and other communities in Warri Division. Particularly significant was Suit No. W/148/56, which later proceeded to the Supreme Court as Appeal No. SC/450/65. The Supreme Court decision delivered on 24th April 1967 upheld earlier judgments and has consistently been referenced in matters concerning land ownership claims in Warri. Other related proceedings, including Suit No. W/116/56 and subsequent judicial interpretations, have remained part of the legal history establishing boundaries, ownership rights, and customary interests within Warri. These legal authorities have over the years formed part of the basis upon which claims by Ogbe-Ijoh people over ownership of lands in Warri Urban have been challenged and rejected.

“The Agbarha-Warri people therefore strongly reject any delineation arrangement that seeks to indirectly transfer or allocate Agbarha-Warri ancestral lands as political wards to another ethnic nationality under whatever guise. If INEC, in its delineation exercise in Warri North and Warri South West Local Government Areas, recognized and delineated wards in accordance with historical settlements, demographic realities, and existing local structures, the same principle of fairness, consistency, and equity must equally apply in Warri South Local Government Area. It is only just and equitable that all Agbarha-Warri wards be properly recognized and situated within Warri South Constituency 2 in line with established realities and the need to preserve peace and balance in the area.

“We therefore call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revisit and review the proposed ward delineation in Warri South Local Government Area and immediately revert all disputed wards within Agbarha-Warri territory to Agbarha-Warri people in the interest of justice, peace, fairness, and sustainable coexistence. INEC must avoid actions or proposals capable of inflaming ethnic tensions or distorting long-established historical and legal realities in Warri.

“The Agbarha-Warri people remain committed to peace, unity, and harmonious coexistence with all ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency. However, peace can only thrive where there is justice, fairness, and mutual respect for the historical identity, territorial integrity, and rights of all indigenous stakeholders. We therefore urge INEC and all relevant authorities to do the needful in a manner that will bring lasting peace, stability, and genuine reconciliation to Warri Urban and the people of Warri Federal Constituency.”