By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, said no final decision has been made yet on the proposed delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency, stressing that there’s time for further deliberations on the matter.
The electoral body stated this while responding to the public outrage concerning the vexed issue.
The clarification was made in a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Thursday,
The move followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 2, 2022, which directed the Commission to undertake the delineation of wards in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West Local Government Areas.
In compliance with the ruling, INEC began a series of consultations in February 2023, engaging with stakeholders across the affected areas up until July 2024. The process included fieldwork in the communities and led to the development of a draft report.
According to the statement, further consultations were held on Friday, April 4, 2025, in Warri, where stakeholders were presented with copies of the draft report.
Addressing the concerns, the Commission emphasised that the draft is not a final decision and urged stakeholders to submit their observations for further deliberation.
The statement read, “Following the Supreme Court judgement, the Commission embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024 involving all the critical stakeholders, followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three Local Government Areas culminating in the production of a draft report.
“The Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week on Friday, 4th April 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue. The purpose was to give them the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have. The overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved.
“Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the Commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency. We urge representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their observations on the draft report which will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter.”
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, equity, the rule of law, and inclusive dialogue throughout the delineation process.
“Meanwhile, we appeal to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area. The Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders,” the statement added.
The New Diplomat had reported how some disrupted productive activities at a 28,000 barrels per day (bpd) oil facility in Warri south-west LGA, in Delta State
The protesters in the state besieged the facility and shut it down to register their displeasure over the controversy surrounding the proposed wards’ delineation in the state.
