The Egbema Youth Council (EYC) Worldwide has faulted the Warri North Itsekiri Rebirth Forum for relying on the 2023 voter register to lay claim to six wards and 134 polling units for the Itsekiri, as against four wards and 58 polling units for the Ijaw, insisting that such statistics are based on an old ward structure already nullified by the Supreme Court.

The EYC in a press statement issued in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday and signed by its President General, Amatelemowei Sode, Esq.; General Secretary, Engr. Gift Erin-Ebimi; and Public Relations Officer, Comr. Ugure Famous, maintained that arguments founded on the previous electoral arrangement cannot be used to invalidate the final ward delineation carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pursuant to the judgment of Nigeria’s apex court.

According to the Council, the Supreme Court, in Suit No. SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & Ors. v. INEC, had nullified the old ward structure and directed the electoral commission to carry out a fresh delineation.

Addressing the claims credited to the Itsekiri Rebirth Forum, the EYC said: “Arguments founded on the former arrangement cannot invalidate a delineation lawfully carried out pursuant to the judgment of the highest court in the land.”

The Council therefore called on Itsekiri groups in Warri North Local Government Area to respect INEC’s final ward delineation and uphold the rule of law rather than continue to rely on electoral statistics derived from the former arrangement.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of every Nigerian to freedom of expression, the EYC stressed that such rights should be exercised responsibly and in a manner that does not undermine lawful institutions or threaten peaceful coexistence.

The group also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the INEC for implementing the delineation, which it said was carried out in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.

According to the EYC, the exercise was not the product of political bargaining or ethnic sentiment, but followed field verification, empirical data and the discharge of INEC’s constitutional responsibilities, stressing that, “INEC visited affected communities, assessed demographic and geographical realities, and implemented the directive of the apex court accordingly."

Giving further insight into the exercise, the EYC disclosed that the initial delineation in Warri North allocated 10 wards to Ijaw communities and eight wards to Itsekiri communities. It, however, said that in the interest of peace and stability, INEC subsequently reviewed the arrangement and approved 10 wards each for the Ijaw and Itsekiri before making its final declaration.

The Council said the Egbema Ijaw accepted the compromise in good faith, despite its position that the initial allocation was justified by the demographic realities on the ground, and further argued that the population distribution in Warri North does not support some of the claims being advanced against the delineation exercise.

It claimed that the combined population of Polobubou and Opuama communities alone exceeds the total Itsekiri population in the LGA, adding that demographic considerations informed the initial delineation.

“Notwithstanding this, the Egbema Ijaws did not insist on retaining every advantage. We chose maturity, patriotism, and peaceful coexistence,” the statement added.

The Council expressed disappointment that despite what it described as concessions made in the interest of peace, some groups have continued to issue publications capable of generating controversy and undermining public confidence in constitutional processes.

It consequently urged political stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations and other interested parties to exercise restraint and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric capable of disturbing the peace in Warri North.

EYC also appealed to President Tinubu, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and relevant security agencies to caution individuals whose statements and activities could threaten peace and stability in the area.

“We remain committed to justice, equity, and harmonious coexistence in the Warri Federal Constituency. We reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, respect for judicial decisions, and collaboration for peace and development," the Council said.