…Ijaw, Urhobo Indigenes Storm INEC HQ, Demand Halt To CVR
…Say Supreme Court Ruling Makes Voter Registration Illegal Without Fresh Delineation
By Yinka Giwa
The Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State have demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) release and implement its long-awaited report on the delineation of their constituency, warning that failure to do so amounts to disenfranchisement.
Speaking during a protest at INEC headquarters in Abuja yesterday, the group’s spokesperson, Chief David Reje from Warri North, said the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise was unlawful in the constituency without fresh delineation.
The Supreme Court had on December 2, 2022, ordered INEC to conduct a new delineation of wards in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West Federal Constituency. Reje lamented that despite consultations and a draft report, INEC had yet to release the final document, effectively leaving the constituency without legal wards or polling units.
“Our patience and cooperation are being taken for granted as you have set machinery in place to disfranchise us from participating in future elections,” Reje said. “We can no longer wait while our democratic rights, guaranteed by the constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgement, are being eroded.”
He added that the group would continue to occupy INEC premises until their right to vote and be voted for was restored, stressing that only a clear delineation would provide the legal framework for Warri constituents to participate in the CVR.
Reje also accused unnamed actors of mounting pressure to derail the process, but expressed confidence that INEC would find the courage to uphold the Supreme Court judgment. “We decided to travel from Warri Federal Constituency to draw your attention to our plight, to let you know that we will not allow any institutions or external influences to erode our inalienable rights,” he said.
Receiving the petition, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, praised the peaceful nature of the demonstration and assured the group that their demands would be presented to the commission for action. “Let me assure you that as a commission, we are a law-abiding institution. Whatever the law says, we act on it. There is no intention whatsoever to disenfranchise anybody from any democratic exercise,” he said.
Placards displayed by the demonstrators bore inscriptions such as “CVR today is a political fraud in Warri Federal Constituency,” “No unit for CVR in Warri Constituency,” and “INEC give us the final report.”
Other signatories to the petition included Joel Bisina, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Rev. Samuel Ako, Frank Pukon, Mrs. Vero Tangbewei, Olorogun Okumagba, Chief John Eramvor, Chief Wester Femi Okumagba, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Mrs. Ann Gagiyovwi, Jude Ebitimi Ukori, and Mrs. Margret Ikinbor.