The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with a Supreme Court judgment that nullified existing wards and units in Warri Federal Constituency, warning that any voter registration exercise conducted under the voided structure is unlawful.
In a statement by its spokesman, Binebia Princewill, the council said the apex court had, in December 2022, declared the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency “fraudulent, non-existent, and unrepresentative of the population,” and directed INEC to carry out a comprehensive re-delineation.
The group accused INEC of disregarding the ruling by going ahead with continuous voter registration, despite having concluded consultations and fieldwork in 2024 and presenting a draft report to stakeholders in April 2025.
“The question that now begs for an answer is: on what basis is INEC embarking on continuous voter registration in Warri Federal Constituency when the Supreme Court has already voided the previous wards and units?” the IYC queried.
It also faulted contradictory statements from INEC officials on whether the delineation exercise had been suspended or transferred, describing the commission’s handling of the matter as “confusing and reckless.”
The council warned that the delay in implementing the re-delineation order amounted to contempt of court and could heighten tensions among Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo groups in Warri.
“If INEC cannot resolve one constituency matter with clear legal backing, what hope do Nigerians have in trusting the commission to deliver credible elections?” the IYC asked, urging the Federal Government to intervene to prevent unrest.
