The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought in Warri, Delta have kicked against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed ward delineation report in the state.
Sir Amorighoye Mene, the Group’s Secretary, who addressed newsmen on Saturday in Asaba, said they would challenge INEC on the delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency.
Freedomonline report that the Warri Federal Constituency consists of Warri North, Warri South West and Warri South local governments.
The Secretary said that they had expected INEC to take into consideration the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that make up the area.
According to him, the Itsekiris, Urhobos and the Ijaws and other mix up demographics areas would have been taken into consideration while delineating the wards and polling units.
He said that if INEC was allowed to implement the proposed wards the Itsekiri people would not get fair representation anywhere.
He called on INEC to reflect on the issues and to be fair and equitable based on the number of registered voters from each of the areas.
According to Mene, the INEC at a stakeholders meeting on Friday unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency in line with the Supreme Court’s judgement that calls for fresh delineation.
“We were not given opportunity to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling but we have looked at the report given to us and the entire Itsekiri nation completely condemn and reject the work done by INEC.
“In Warri North; Itsekiris used to have six wards, Ijaws, four wards since 1999 but today from the reviewed INEC report, out of 18 Wards, itsekiris with 75,912 registered voters with 134 polling units now have eight wards.
“While the Ijaws with 35,480 voters strength and 58 polling units now have 10 wards.”
Mene noted that the situation was not different from Warri South West and Warri South where the Itsekiri’s voter strength was undermined.
According to him, In Warri South West, Itsekiris with voters strength of 94,074 and 175 polling units based on INEC register, now have five wards out of 19 wards delineated by INEC in their report.
“While the Ijaws with 95,046 voting strength and 147 polling units now have 14 wards in the area.
“In Warri South, Itsekiris with the voting strength of 88, 309 and 174 polling units now have eight wards while the Urhobos with 38,000 voters and 72 polling units, have 10 wards and the mix demographic area with about 51,517 voters and 105 units, the Ijaws got two wards in the area.”
He said that INEC should primarily concern itself with eligible voters and how they could vote conveniently being the purpose for delineation of units and wards for people to exercise their franchise.
“We expect INEC to be fair, equitable and not bias because wards and polling units delineation is for the convenience of administering elections based on numbers of registered voters in various communities and registered areas.
” So, those who have more registered voters should have more wards and polling units. What we are demanding from INEC is fairness and equity,” Mene said.
