The Ijaw and Urhobo people of Warri federal constituency have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to direct political parties to conduct primaries in newly created state constituencies.

The call was made on Monday at a news conference in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South LGA, Delta.

Stakeholders present included Godspower Gbenekama, Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor and Victor Okumagba, among others.

Mr Gbenekama, who spoke for the stakeholders, expressed dissatisfaction with delays in implementing the Supreme Court-ordered delineation.
INEC presented its final delineation report to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20.

Representatives of the Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups attended the presentation.

Mr Gbenekama said no action had followed 10 days after the report was unveiled. He cited INEC’s position on conducting primaries in the newly created constituencies.

“Considering the limited time constraint imposed by the INEC timetable for the conduct of the 2027 elections. The commission will immediately direct political parties to conduct primaries for candidates in the newly created constituencies,” he said.

He expressed concern that the deadlines for submitting candidates for the 2027 elections were drawing closer. Mr Gbenekama alleged that external interference from the presidency was responsible for the delay.

“We heard from a good authority that INEC’s failure to implement the report is due to external interference by the presidency,” he said.
He condemned the alleged interference, describing it as an attack on democracy and the rule of law.

“We insist that the rule of law must prevail in the Warri federal constituency. We call on INEC to direct parties to conduct primaries for the newly created constituencies. The Ijaw people of Egbema Kingdom are eager to elect candidates for participation in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Mr Gbenekama said substantial concessions had already been made to the Itsekiri ethnic group.

“The Itsekiri registration areas and electoral Wards were increased from four to seven and from eight to 10,” he said.

He insisted that future electoral activities must strictly follow the final delineation report.

He also maintained that the report presented on May 20 must not be altered. Mr Gbenekama recalled that relocating a local government headquarters contributed to the Warri crisis between 1997 and 2003. He warned against any action capable of triggering a repeat of the conflict.

(NAN)