Reps of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups during the press conference
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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been asked to ignore the recent brewing Warri crisis and complete the Warri federal ward delineation.
Representatives of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo of Warri federal Constituency made the call on Monday during a world press briefing in Warri.
A prominent Son of Okere Urhobo kingdom, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, who read the position of the group, stated that the Ijaws and Urhobos in Warri federal constituency will not participate in the ongoing continuous voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, stressing that INEC wants to disenfranchise them.
The group stated that it is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgement for INEC to proceed with the registration of voters in Warri Federal Constituency, as there is no longer the existence of electoral wards and units upon which the ongoing voter registration can stand.
The representatives of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo in Warri Federal Constituency further noted that since April 4, 2025, when INEC held a meeting with stakeholders in Warri and presented copies of the draft report to all parties concerned, the commission has yet to publish the final report.
Instead, they said, INEC has moved ahead to commence preparations for future elections.
In their separate remarks, Chief Godspower Gbenakama, Dr Joel Bisina, Reverend Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Chief John Eranvor, amongst others, called on INEC to immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders.
The representatives stated that they are capable of shutting down oil operations in their areas, but as peace-loving people, they will use all necessary democratic processes to fight for what is right.
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