Over 200 Urhobo and Itsekiri residents of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have protested at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Asaba over alleged irregularities in the delineation of electoral wards in the area.
They alleged that the exercise could undermine the political representation of their communities.
The protesters accused INEC of introducing fictitious names, unfamiliar wards and questionable polling units into the electoral structure of the LGA.
They called on the commission to correct what they described as errors in the delineation exercise and ensure that the electoral structure reflected the genuine ancestral settlements and interests of the different ethnic groups in the local government area.
Addressing the protesters, an Itsekiri leader, Samuel Meyiwa, said the community had earlier embraced a political solution to the dispute following meetings involving stakeholders at the office of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
He alleged that unfamiliar names and addresses had been introduced into the electoral records, questioning how people without verifiable ancestral homes or identifiable connections to the affected communities could be recognised as residents of Warri South.
He said the understanding reached was that fictitious names and addresses allegedly introduced into the Warri South electoral records should be removed.
Meyiwa, however, expressed disappointment that the list subsequently released by INEC did not reflect the agreement.
“We were all at the meeting, and the understanding was that the fictitious names and addresses in Warri South should be removed. But INEC has released another list. So, what has happened to the agreement we reached?” he said.
Meyiwa said the protest was not intended to create hostility between the Itsekiri and other ethnic groups but to demand fairness and respect for the agreement reached by stakeholders.
The Urhobo representative, Eforele Marcus, also accused INEC of introducing unfamiliar ward names and altering the existing electoral structure in a manner he said could affect the political representation of the Urhobo people.
Marcus argued that the different ethnic groups in Warri South had distinct ancestral settlements and should have their electoral representation properly reflected.
“They brought names that are not in existence in our communities. Some of the ward names are strange to the people of Warri South. I have never heard of them before,” he said.
He also questioned the creation of additional wards and polling units, alleging that the delineation exercise had altered previous arrangements among the communities.
Marcus said the protesters wanted INEC to restore what they considered a fair electoral structure and correct the alleged errors.
“We are here for INEC to correct the wrongs it has done,” he said.
Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Delta State, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, acknowledged the protesters' right to peaceful protest and urged them to avoid violence.
He advised them to submit their grievances in writing for onward transmission to the commission's national headquarters in Abuja.
Umoren said he had observed the different messages on the protesters' placards but advised them to present a comprehensive position paper detailing their complaints, previous engagements with the commission and the action they expected.
“I have seen all the placards you are carrying. There are so many of them, and I cannot recall all the messages at the same time. I think it would be better for you to present your position to me in writing.
“Let us have a position paper explaining the situation, what has been done, what you think has not been done and your expectations. You can submit it through your leaders.”
The REC assured the protesters that his office was open to receiving their complaints, adding that the documents would be forwarded to the national headquarters for consideration and necessary action.
“I acknowledge your right to peaceful protest. The important thing is that we must do everything peacefully and avoid violence. At the end of the day, you don't throw stones into the market when you don't know who is inside. Violence is not what we need. Let us pursue our demands peacefully,” he said.
Also addressing the protesters, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, appealed to them to submit copies of their previous petitions and reports to his office, saying he would draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to the dispute.
Erale, who said he had spent less than two months in the state, noted that he was hearing about the grievances for the first time.
He said he would formally write to the IGP, warning that the dispute had the potential to cause a breakdown of peace in Delta State if not properly addressed.
He said, “All the issues you have raised are new to me because I have spent barely two months in Delta State. You said you have submitted several letters. Please, bring your reports and submit them to my office.
“I will write to the Inspector-General of Police to inform him that this matter has the potential to cause trouble in Delta State and urge him to look into it.”
The police commissioner, who said he served as Commissioner of Police during the last governorship election in Osun State, assured the protesters of his commitment to maintaining peace in Delta.
He appealed to them to cooperate with security agencies, saying he was ready to replicate the peaceful atmosphere recorded during the Osun election in the state.
“I am ready to replicate the same thing here in Delta State. Please, on my honour, do this for me,” he appealed.
Protesters storm Delta INEC office over alleged irregularities in Warri delineation