The Presidency has kicked against the disruption of oil production by stakeholders of the Warri Federal Constituency over demands for the implementation of the fresh wards delineation report by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the Commission must implement court judgments without political pressure.

Denying any interference by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in INEC's non-implementation of its concluded delineation, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Presidency had not issued any directive to INEC regarding the exercise.

Onanuga response on Tuesday followed protests triggered by the non-implementation of a Supreme Court-backed delineation exercise, leading to the shutdown of more than 13 oil facilities in the Constituency on Monday and Tuesday, threatening crude oil production.

He said, “The Presidency has not issued any directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the implementation of the delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency.

“The position of the Federal Government is clear and consistent: lawful court judgements should be respected and implemented through the appropriate constitutional and institutional processes,” he added.

Onanuga further emphasised that INEC is “an independent constitutional institution” that is empowered to discharge its duties in accordance with the Constitution, relevant laws and judicial pronouncements, just as he urged members of the Constituency nursing any grievances arising from the delineation exercise to pursue such through lawful engagement with the relevant authorities.

Onanuga also said the Presidency was unaware of any official decision by INEC that altered the Commission’s constitutional responsibilities and advised that questions regarding the operational implementation of the exercise should be directed to the electoral body.

He assured aggrieved members of the Constituency that President Tinubu remains committed to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that public institutions operate without undue interference.

“The Federal Government has no interest in interfering with the independence of INEC or undermining the rule of law,” he said.

On the shutdown of flow stations arising from the ward delineation, he said, “While citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful expression and lawful protest, actions capable of disrupting economic activities, threatening public safety or damaging national infrastructure are unacceptable.

“The Federal Government remains committed to peace, dialogue, the rule of law and the preservation of public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” he assured.

He cautioned that critical national assets must not be endangered under any circumstances and urged all stakeholders to pursue their concerns peacefully and lawfully.

#penglobalcommunity #Tinubu #INEC