Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units for the Warri Federal Constituency in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.
The exercise covers Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta State, following years of dispute over ward structure and representation in the oil-rich constituency.
INEC also announced the creation of a new federal constituency to accommodate Ijaw and Itsekiri communities within Warri North and Warri South-West, a development expected to reshape political representation in the area.
According to the commission, the newly created constituency will however require constitutional amendment by the National Assembly before it becomes fully operational.
A focal representative of the Ijaw community, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, said INEC held an emergency meeting in Asaba where the Supervising National Commissioner and Electoral Commissioner presented the final report to representatives of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
The commission released the final outcome of its ward delineation and constituency sharing exercise for the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State, creating 20 wards and restructuring six state constituencies.
According to the result published, the exercise produced nine wards for the Urhobo ethnic group, eight for the Itsekiri, and three for the Ijaw in Warri South. The new structure is expected to take effect ahead of future elections in the area.
In Warri South, the wards were divided into Warri South I and Warri South II constituencies, covering areas such as Okumagba I and II, Edjeba, Okere, Ogunu, Itsekiri settlements, GRA, Pessu and other adjoining communities.
Warri South-West was also split into two constituencies, capturing communities including Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Isaba, Benikrukru, Kokodiagbene, Oporoza and Okerenkoko among others.
Similarly, Warri North was delineated into Warri North I and Warri North II constituencies, covering areas such as Koko, Gbokoda, Ogheye, Ogbinbiri, Polobubo, Opuama and surrounding riverine communities.
The commission said the exercise was carried out to comply with the apex court ruling and to ensure fairer representation and clearer electoral mapping in the constituency.
INEC added that the new structure would guide future elections in the area once all constitutional and administrative processes are completed.
The Supreme Court, has in Appeal No. SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & Ors v. INEC, had directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
“This landmark judgment, was delivered on 2 December 2022.
