INEC says it is ready to proceed with Warri delineation

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated it is prepared to proceed with the controversial ward delineation in Delta State's Warri Federal Constituency. However, the commission is awaiting the finalization of ongoing negotiations and compromises among the affected communities before implementation.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, who chairs the Information and Voter Education Committee, refuted suggestions that the Presidency influenced the delay. He asserted that INEC operates independently and makes decisions based strictly on its constitutional mandate. "There is no influence from the Presidency on Warri Ward delineation. Of course, we don’t receive instructions from the Presidency," Haruna told PREMIUM TIMES.

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There is no influence from the Presidency on Warri Ward delineation. Of course, we don’t receive instructions from the Presidency. We have done our delineation. It is just to implement. But we are concerned about insecurity. If there are threats to our staff, we can’t go there.

Haruna highlighted security concerns as a primary reason for the delay in implementation. He noted that threats to INEC staff and the general atmosphere of insecurity, exacerbated by recent protests and disruptions, make it unsafe to conduct the delineation exercise. "If there are threats to our staff, we can’t go there," he explained, drawing a parallel to election conduct, which also requires a secure environment.

The Supreme Court had previously directed INEC to redefine electoral wards in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West local government areas. A field report presented in May proposed 13 wards for Ijaw communities and seven for Itsekiri communities, a recommendation that faced significant opposition from parts of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality. Recent tensions, including protests and the shutdown of oil facilities, have been addressed through stakeholder engagements, including meetings with President Bola Tinubu, which have reportedly led to an agreement to end protests.

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What about all these closing of flow stations? Not a direct threat to our staff. If there are such demonstrations, the atmosphere clearly is not right for us to go and do our own job. It is like elections. If there is no secure environment, we can’t conduct elections.