By Balarabe Oshiafi
Following bickerings over ward delineation in Warri area of Delta State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that no final decision has been taken on the proposed delineation of wards in Warri Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court.
In a release signed by the National Commissioner, Information and Voters Education, Sam Olumekun and made available to ExpressDay Newspaper yesterday, the Commission asked all stakeholders in the area to submit their views on the draft report to assist the commission in arriving at an acceptable plan of action.
Some communities in the area have reportedly shut down oil production in protest against what they called unfair delineation and ethic cleansing by the commission.
The Commission said it has not carried out any delineation of wards in the area but engaging stakeholders, adding the purpose of the recent stakeholders meeting was to give everybody involved the opportunity to make their opinion known.
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It said the Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.
The release said: “Our attention has been drawn to the misleading narratives about the proposed delineation of Wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgement delivered on 2nd December 2022.
“Following the Supreme Court judgement, the Commission embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024 involving all the critical stakeholders, followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three Local Government Areas culminating in the production of a draft report.
“The Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week Friday, 4th April 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue.
“The purpose was to give them the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have. The overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved.
“Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the Commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.
“We urge representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their obesrvations on the draft report which will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter.
“Meanwhile, we appeal to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area. The Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.
