The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) have rejected the fresh delineation of wards, polling units and constituencies proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Warri Federal Constituency.
The group described the exercise as unconstitutional and misleading. It also accused INEC of relying on “fraudulent data.”
ILOT made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday by its Secretary, Sir Amorighoye Sunny Mene.
INEC unveiled the new delineation report on Wednesday in Asaba, Delta State. The proposal includes two additional state constituencies and one new federal constituency for the Warri axis.
However, the Itsekiri group said the composition of the new constituencies was flawed.
According to ILOT, INEC based the proposal on disputed figures earlier presented on April 4, 2025.
The group acknowledged the Supreme Court judgment that ordered INEC to conduct a fresh delineation exercise in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas.
However, ILOT argued that the judgment did not declare existing wards or polling units illegal.
The group accused INEC of exceeding its constitutional role during the exercise.
ILOT said the commission ventured into demographic interpretation, territorial classification and community recognition.
“We maintain that INEC’s role is strictly administrative and electoral, not ethnographic or territorial,” the statement said.
The Itsekiri leaders also questioned the credibility of the GIS mapping used for the exercise.
According to the group, independent survey and GIS experts discovered major inconsistencies in the polling unit coordinates released by INEC.
ILOT claimed that some polling units appeared outside their designated local government areas.
The group also alleged that some coordinates pointed to rivers, forests, swamps and locations outside Delta State, including parts of Edo and Ondo states.
“These findings raise serious questions about the credibility, legality and technical integrity of the exercise,” the statement added.
ILOT urged the Federal Government to investigate the delineation exercise.
The group also demanded sanctions against any official who compromised the process.
It disclosed that it had already submitted formal complaints to INEC and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Itsekiri leaders also rejected claims that the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups lacked political representation in the Warri Federal Constituency.
According to the group, both ethnic nationalities have occupied key political offices across the three local government areas.
Despite its objections, ILOT urged residents and stakeholders to remain peaceful.
The group warned against threats to peace and national infrastructure.
It called on all parties to pursue lawful and democratic means while consultations continue.
“We remain committed to fairness, constitutional order, justice and peaceful coexistence,” the statement concluded.
