There was a heated clash among senators on Tuesday over a motion concerning the ongoing delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State, amid allegations of marginalisation and irregularities.
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Following the debate, the Senate resolved to investigate the exercise, mandating its Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; Electoral Matters; INEC; Special Duties; and Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to conduct a holistic probe and report back within four weeks.
The resolution stemmed from a motion titled “Urgent Need for Intervention to Prevent Imminent Political Crisis Over the INEC Delineation Exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State”, sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) and co-sponsored by Senator Sadiq Suleiman (APC, Kwara North).
Presenting the motion, Senator Lalong explained that it was triggered by a petition from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, alleging unjust treatment and marginalisation in INEC’s recent ward delineation. According to the petition, two Ijaw communities Gbaramatu and Oporoza each previously with one ward, were increased to eight out of the 19 wards in Warri South-West Local Government Area, while the Itsekiri community’s wards were reduced from six to five.
The petitioners argued that INEC’s April 4, 2025 report failed to reflect realities on the ground, citing errors and inconsistencies that have sparked tension among the Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo groups. They also claimed some coordinates used in INEC’s mapping exercise placed Delta communities within Edo and Ondo States, describing the process as “fraudulent.”
Senator Lalong stressed that INEC’s constitutional mandate does not extend to altering ethnic or demographic balances, warning that the irregularities could trigger fresh communal conflict if left unresolved.
Tensions rose during plenary when Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (APC, Delta South) objected to the motion, arguing that the matter was already before a court and thus sub judice. Lalong countered that the referral originated from the Villa, prompting a brief verbal exchange between both senators.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), who presided over the session, intervened to restore order and ruled that the matter be referred to the relevant committees for thorough investigation.
The petitioners further alleged that INEC’s delineation exercise violated existing court orders, including an interlocutory injunction restraining it from proceeding with the creation of 12 wards in Warri South Local Government Area in 1997, as well as a 2003 substantive judgment delivered in favour of the Itsekiri people.
They maintained that the exercise was inconsistent with the Constitution, Supreme Court rulings, and INEC’s own guidelines, raising concerns about the Commission’s neutrality.
Recalling past ethnic clashes in the region between 1997 and 2003, Lalong warned that failure to address the grievances could reignite tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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