A coalition of concerned youths from the Niger Delta region has staged a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, demanding the immediate release and implementation of the long-awaited Warri Federal Constituency ward delineation report.
Protesters Issue Warning Over Electoral Delays
The group, operating under the banner of Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders (ORINC), gathered on Tuesday, January 14, 2026, to voice their growing frustration. They warned that continued delay in implementing the report could seriously undermine electoral preparations and heighten political tensions in the volatile Niger Delta region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
ORINC's Convener, Ellington Bakumo, who addressed the press on behalf of the protesters, provided critical background. He stated that the delineation exercise was conducted by INEC itself, following a direct order from the Supreme Court. The judgment mandated the commission to redraw the ward boundaries in the three local government areas constituting the Warri Federal Constituency: Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West.
A Process Completed But Not Implemented
Bakumo revealed that the field work for this crucial exercise involved representatives from all ethnic groups and communities within the three councils. He confirmed that INEC even produced and released a field report on April 4, 2025. However, since that date, the commission has failed to announce the final outcome or take steps to implement it.
"With the 2027 elections approaching, we are growing increasingly impatient," Bakumo declared. "INEC carried out the delineation itself, in partnership with all stakeholders, yet the final report has not been implemented. This delay has effectively stalled vital processes like voter registration in our constituency."
The protesters linked the need for the new ward structure to historical grievances. Another speaker, Freeborn Ebimaye Abraye, explained that the Supreme Court's order was meant to correct alleged imbalances in the former 10-ward arrangement. He claimed this old structure led to the disenfranchisement and marginalisation of certain ethnic groups within the constituency. According to him, INEC's reluctance to act on its own report now raises serious questions about its commitment to upholding the court's decision and ensuring a credible electoral process.
Calls for Presidential Intervention and Fears of Unrest
The situation has stirred deep suspicion among local stakeholders. Johnny James, Secretary of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) chapter, echoed this sentiment, stating that the uncertainty is eroding confidence. He urged INEC to publish the report to restore peace and trust in the area.
In a significant escalation, the protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene directly. They framed the issue as a fundamental matter of fairness and justice, cautioning that leaving it unresolved could escalate into broader unrest in the Niger Delta.
INEC's Director of Security, Ndidi Okafor, received the petition from the demonstrators. She assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the commission's leadership. Okafor also appealed to the youths to maintain peace and continue to operate within the bounds of the law while the commission reviews the matter.
