The leaders of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency, comprising Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North local government areas of Delta State, have vowed to "use all possible means necessary to ensure that there is no election" in the constituency come the 2027 general elections, unless their demand is immediately met by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ethnic nationalities made their decision and stand known in a World Press Conference that held at the KFT Event Place near Ekpan, on Monday, May 4, 2026.

In an issued statement signed by Ijaw and Urhobo leaders, they hinged their decision on the lack of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement its earlier released report on the Supreme Court ordered fresh delineation exercise it had conducted.

The ethnic nationalities stated that while INEC had complied with the Supreme Court judgment on ward redelineation in the Constituency, however alleged that "INEC has been compromised by some conservative forces bent on sustaining minority rule over the majority in Wari territory," and added that "Justice is dying as the referee has joined the march" indicating bias on the part of INEC.

Part of the statement further reads, "Now, history is about repeating itself as the nation has not learned the lessons of history. Today, the same reasons of corruption, tribal biases, and undue government leaders' influence on INEC. INEC is refusing to implement its report, its own report, and thereby blocking the road to peace. 

"A people denied the ballot and due political participation and representation, will seek other roads. That is not a threat. That is history. Apparently, INEC have been compromised by some conservative forces bent on sustaining minority rule over the majority in Wari territory. Justice is dying as the referee has joined the match.

"Let it be clear, this betrayal will strip the indigenous, Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri from effective participation and representation in the forthcoming general election. This is tyranny in slow motion in this age of freedom and democracy.

"How did we as a nation sink so low that government and its constitutional agencies like INEC now renege on implementing their own reports due to tribal chauvinism and nepotistic betrayal of government leaders?" they asked.

According to the ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency, the lack of implementation of the INEC report has now been added to other reports of commissions such as the Justice Nnaemeka Agu Judicial Commission of Inquiry 1993, the Justice Alhassan Idoko Judicial Commission of Inquiry 1997, the Gen. Theophilus Danjuma Committee / Task Force 2003, the Prof. Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba, headed Delta State Elders' Committee 2003; and the Chief James Ibori "Road Map to Peace" 1999, all recommended to resolve the Warri territorial crisis, but were not implemented.

The ethnic nationalities while stressing that they have "exhausted all legal means including judgment of the Supreme Court on fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units" vowed to take destiny into its own hands by ensuring that no election will hold in the Constituency unless INEC "immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders", vowing that "We shall not idly stand by and watch our democratic rights and franchise freighted away by INEC's lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility."

Among the signatories to the issued statement are Dr. Joel Bisina, Olorogun Victor Okumagba (JP), High Chief Dr. Godspower Gbenekama (JP), Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye (JP), Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Hon. Frank Pukon, Amb. Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), Chief David Reje, Comr. (Mrs.) Margaret Ikinbor, Alaowei Denbo Oweikpodor, Chief Monday Keme, Chief John Eranvor, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief (Mrs.) Ann Gagiyovwi (JP) and Chief Vero Tangbowei Emmanuel (JP).

It would be recalled that the ethnic nationalities had addressed a world press briefing on August 25, 2025, stating their demand of implementation of the INEC fresh delineation report. After more than eight months, with the 2027 general elections drawing close, INEC is yet to swing into action on its released report of the constituency after completing the fresh delineation exercise. 

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