By Joy Yesufu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports that it suspended the proposed delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency following a Supreme Court judgment.
A media outlet had claimed the commission halted the process in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West local government areas.
However, in a statement on Monday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, described the report as inaccurate and misleading.
“Our attention has been drawn to a report published by a national newspaper in which an official of the commission was misquoted on the proposed delineation of wards in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West of Warri Federal Constituency, as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgment delivered on December 2, 2022.
The commission hereby affirms that, contrary to the report, the proposed delineation has not been suspended and no final decision has been taken on the matter,” Olumekun clarified.
He added that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is proceeding as scheduled across all local government areas within the constituency.
INEC appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm and maintain peace while the delineation process continues.
The Supreme Court had, on December 2, 2022, ordered INEC to delineate wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.
Following the directive, the commission began stakeholder consultations in February 2023 and concluded fieldwork by July 2024. A draft delineation report has since been presented to stakeholders.
