Itsekiri Youth Group Challenges INEC Over Warri Federal Constituency Ward Delineation

The Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths, UIY, has formally challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to provide the legal and geographical basis for the Warri Federal Constituency units and ward delineation data recently uploaded to its portal. The youth organization warned that the uploaded report carries serious implications for community identity, political representation, and public confidence in democratic institutions, particularly amid growing local allegations of electoral boundary manipulation.

According to the group's National Public Relations Officer, Gbubemi Ejesi, Itsekiri youths view the disputed developments as a direct threat to electoral justice, indigenous political representation, and peaceful coexistence in Warri. The group raised serious questions regarding INEC's methodology, the authenticity of the geographical coordinates used, and the level of compliance with applicable judicial decisions concerning administrative assignments in the area.

A core grievance centers on the alleged creation of three disputed wards carved out of ancestral Okere and Pessu lands, which the UIY maintains are historic Itsekiri territories. The organization expressed strong condemnation against any attempt to alter the electoral structure of these regions without a transparent, lawful, and verifiable process. They argued that electoral boundaries must be anchored in reliable evidence and established legal frameworks rather than administrative shifts that leave indigenous communities feeling excluded.

The youth body also flagged potential discrepancies in geographical coordinates, questioning whether certain locations were accurately mapped or improperly imported from outside areas. They called upon INEC to publish all supporting documents, maps, ward descriptions, and polling-unit registers to allow for independent verification by affected communities and electoral stakeholders. UIY reaffirmed its commitment to defending Itsekiri interests through peaceful advocacy, constitutional processes, and lawful channels.

Source reporting: Vanguard — 2026-11-01 06:37:43