Leaders of the Indigenous Ijaw and Urhobo communities in Delta State’s Warri Federal Constituency are pressing the Independent National Electoral Commission to finally implement a Supreme Court order for a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units. In an open letter addressed to INEC Chairman Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, the groups expressed frustration over what they call an unjustifiable delay in carrying out the court’s directive.
The Supreme Court ruling, which stems from a suit filed against INEC, explicitly orders the commission to conduct a new delineation of all electoral wards and polling units across Warri South West, Warri North, and Warri South Local Government Areas. The order is intended to ensure fair representation and accurate voter mapping for future elections in the Warri Federal Constituency.
Citing constitutional provisions, the letter emphasizes that INEC’s authority to regulate its own procedures does not exempt it from complying with a binding Supreme Court judgment. The communities argue that the commission’s delay undermines the rule of law and disenfranchises voters in the region.
The petitioners demand immediate action, noting that the Supreme Court’s decisions must be enforced by all authorities and persons across the federation, including lower courts. They warn that continued inaction could erode public trust in the electoral process and call on INEC to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves.
