Protesters comprising Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West local government areas that make up Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State have declared their boycott of the nationwide ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ethnic groups during a peaceful protest in the Commission's headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday demanded from INEC the immediate implementation of the final report of the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Constituency as a condition for them to participate in the CVR exercise.

Spokesman of the groups, Chief David Reje from the Egbema Clan in Warri North, accused the INEC of undermining the constitutional rights of the people by conducting the CVR with what he termed as the “defunct arrangement” that the Supreme Court had earlier nullified.

Chief Reje while expressing their displeasure noted that despite INEC’s field exercise and stakeholder's engagements, which produced a new delineation report in compliance with the apex court judgment, the Commission failed to release and implement its final report.

He said, “Our patience and cooperation are being taken for granted as machinery has been set in place to disenfranchise us from participating in future elections.

“We can no longer wait while our democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgment are being eroded," Chief Reje warned.

The groups said they had travelled from Warri to Abuja to draw INEC’s attention to their plight, warning that they might be compelled to occupy the Commission’s premises until their demands were met, a move he described as "the second phase" of their “non-violent struggle to restore political dignity.”

The Spokesman further noted that they had come under “consistent pressure” from their people and could not guarantee that the agitation would remain contained if the INEC continued to ignore the court order.

The groups demanded that INEC must immediately release and implement the delineation report and the CVR should only proceed on the basis of the newly approved electoral arrangements, vowing that, “We shall not stand idly by and watch our democratic rights and franchise frittered away. A stitch in time saves nine,” he maintained.

INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdulzuru, in his response assured the Ijaw and Urhobo groups of the Warri Federal Constituency that their concerns over the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation of electoral wards and polling units will be addressed.

He commended the groups for adopting a peaceful approach in presenting their grievances and acknowledged receipt of their formal petition.

“I have listened carefully to your demands and read through your submission. I will tender the documents to the Commission,” Abdulzuru said.

He further stated that INEC is a law-abiding institution with no intention of disenfranchising any group of Nigerians, stressing that, “As a Commission, we are committed to upholding the law. There is no intention, as far as INEC is concerned, to disenfranchise anybody from any exercise. We will get back to you, be rest assured,” he added.

The protesters carried various placards with inscriptions that reads: ‘CVR today is a political fraud in Warri Federal Constituency,’ ‘Warri Federal Constituency, no ward, no units for CVR,’ ‘INEC give us the final report,’ among others. They also bear a huge banner bearing the map of Ijaws and Itsekiri.

Prominent figures who signed the document tendered by the protesters include Dr Joel Bisina, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Chief John Eramvor, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Emmanuel Serondi and Chief Mrs Ann Gagiyovwi, Rev. Samuel Ako, Amb.Jude Ebitimi Ukori, Hon. Frank Pukon, Chief Mrs Vero Emmanuel Tangbewei, and Comrade Mrs Margaret Ikinbor.

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