The recent protest by members of the Urhobo and Ijaw communities at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja has brought national attention to an ongoing matter in Delta State regarding representation, constitutional rights, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. The protest focuses on urging INEC to carry out a
The recent protest by members of the Urhobo and Ijaw communities at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja has brought national attention to an ongoing matter in Delta State regarding representation, constitutional rights, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
The protest focuses on urging INEC to carry out a Supreme Court order for new ward and polling unit boundaries in Warri Federal Constituency.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has committed to evaluating the requests presented by the Urhobo and Ijaw communities of Delta State, following their peaceful demonstration at the Commission’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Representatives from Warri North, Warri South, and Warri Southwest Local Government Areas formally submitted a petition to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, asserting that the ongoing voter registration in the region, conducted without valid electoral structures, contravenes their constitutional rights and the Supreme Court judgment issued on December 2, 2022.
During the protest, community leaders delivered a petition to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The petition, signed by 16 representatives, addressed concerns about the ongoing voter registration in the constituency, citing the absence of established electoral structures.
“We can no longer wait while our democratic rights, guaranteed by the constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgment, are being eroded.
“INEC should immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders. We shall not idly stand by and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away,” the petition read in part.
The group praised INEC for its early fieldwork and proposed registration areas and polling units.
The Warri Wards’ Controversy
Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency—which includes Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West local government areas—have raised concerns about representation. Some have noted that the distribution of electoral wards appears to benefit certain groups, while others may have less participation in the political process.
In December 2022, the Supreme Court ordered INEC to correct imbalances by redrawing wards and polling units. INEC consulted stakeholders in February 2023, completed fieldwork by July 2024, and presented a draft report of new wards to community leaders in April 2025.
At the time, INEC clarified that the report was not final. National Commissioner Sam Olumekun stated in April that no final decision had been made on delineating wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.
With nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) now underway and no final delineation approved, the affected communities see themselves trapped in the electoral process.
Why the Protesters Took to the Streets
Protesters claimed that conducting voter registration without established wards and polling units violated the court’s order. Ijaw leader David Jere stated that Ijaws and Urhobos could not register due to the lack of wards and units.
Another protester pointed out the legal gap: “With due respect, sir, in the eyes of the law, there is no existing ward or unit in Warri Federal Constituency at all by virtue of the December 2nd judgment delivered by the Supreme Court.”
They stated that they would remain at the premises until INEC released the final delineation report: “We will continue to occupy your premises until our rights to vote and to stand for election are restored,” according to the petition.
INEC’s Balancing Act
INEC officials received the petition and stated that the concerns would be addressed. Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, representing the commission, commented on the protest’s peaceful manner. He stated, “There is no intention to disenfranchise anyone from participating in democratic processes. Ensuring participation for every Nigerian is part of our responsibility.”
But for the communities, these promises are not enough. Having waited since 2022, they fear that the delay will mean exclusion from ongoing and future elections.
Broader Significance
The Warri case highlights challenges of fairness in Nigeria’s electoral system. Delays have revealed tensions between court decisions and administration, sparking concerns over possible political interference.
By proceeding with voter registration without addressing the delineation issue, INEC may affect perceptions of its credibility. In the Niger Delta, where concerns about fairness, identity, and inclusion are prominent, a perception of exclusion could contribute to broader tensions.
The protest constitutes a call for equitable treatment and serves as an assessment of INEC’s autonomy and operational effectiveness. With the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) currently in progress and the final delineation yet to be confirmed, the impacted communities perceive themselves as disadvantaged within the electoral framework.
