By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – IJAW youths under the auspices of Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders, ORINC, on Monday staged a massive protest at the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja, demanding that the electoral umpire immediately implement the Supreme Court’s judgment on the delineation report on Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State.

The protesters accused the Amupitan-led INEC of deliberately refusing to act according to the order of the Apex Court, and alleged that there are some influential Nigerians who are prevailing on INEC not to do the needful for the free flow of the democratic process in Warri Federal Constituency.

The protesters who stormed the gate of INEC questioned the integrity of INEC to conduct a free and fair election in 2027, with this delay to swiftly act on the Supreme Court’s judgment ordering it to comply.

They also strongly emphasised that they do not want to be disenfranchised come the 2027 general elections, and also warned that if their demands were not met, they cannot guarantee the safety of INEC personnel during the 2027 general elections in the Niger Delta region, as there is serious tension brewing.

A member of ORINC, Comrade Freeborn Abraye, addressing journalists, made it known that the protest is the second one they are staging after INEC promised to attend to their demands, but nothing was done about the issue, which they are begging INEC to safeguard the right to vote by the constituents.

Abraye said: “My fellow comrades and I are here today on one clear mission: to call on INEC to implement the Supreme Court-ordered delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency.

“For years, political opportunities and representation were concentrated in the hands of one ethnic group, while the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups remained marginalized and underrepresented.”

According to him, the Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri representatives of all participated in the delineation exercise INEC had conducted, which was transparent and participatory.

“Now, after carrying out the exercise and producing the report, INEC has refused to implement its own findings. That is why we are here today: to demand the implementation of that report.

“This is not about politics or ethnic sentiment. It is about justice, fairness, democratic representation, and respect for due process and the rule of law.”

Also speaking was Comrade Ellington Bakumor, saying, “We cannot beg for rights that are already guaranteed by law and affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“Throughout the process, there were representatives from all sides. There were no protests and no objections during the exercise. The complaints only started after the results were released because the outcome reflected fairness and balance.

“So today, we ask: what exactly is the problem? Why is INEC delaying the implementation of its own report? Why are our people still being denied fair representation?”

Meanwhile, he (Bakumor) alleged that there are big politicians who are influencing the process to scuttle it with their vested interests.

He also warned that if nothing is urgently done to implement the delineation report, it will further throw the constituency and the entire Niger Delta region into chaos, as there is frustration in the constituency.

“The people of Warri Federal Constituency are tired of marginalisation. We want justice. We want fairness. We want equal political representation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Comrade Jonny Torrus stressed why INEC, as an institution established by law and led by a Professor of Law, should see reason why it should not further delay in implementing the report peacefully and lawfully.

“We sincerely hope this issue is resolved peacefully and lawfully. We want elections to be held in an atmosphere of fairness, inclusion, and legitimacy. But that can only happen when justice is done, and every group feels properly represented”, he said.

In his response on behalf of INEC, Assistant Director, Security at the Commission, Mohammed Hamma, assured that the protest letter would be forwarded to the Chairman of the Commission.

According to Hamma, the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners were out of town on official assignments, but assured the protesters that their demands would be addressed.

“You have submitted your document, and we have officially received and acknowledged it.
I therefore appeal to you to remain patient. INEC is committed to doing its best to address concerns appropriately and ensure that due process is followed wherever necessary.

“Please expect an official response from the Chairman regarding the issues raised in your document”, he said.

Meanwhile, the group submitted a protest letter addressed to INEC Chairman, with the subject ‘Release the Final Fieldwork Report of the Ward and Polling Unit Delineation in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State’, and signed by the Coordinator, Operation Rescue Ijaw Nation Crusaders, ORINC, Comr. Awipi Lawson.

The letter made available to journalists read in part, “We, write to you as citizens and stakeholders in the democratic future of Nigeria, particularly with respect to Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

“This protest letter is necessitated by the urgent need to uphold the rule of law through the full and timely implementation of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 2, 2022, in Hon. George Timinimi & Others v. INEC (Suit No: SC.413/2016).

“We, therefore, urge Mr. Chairman and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release and implement the Final Fieldwork Report in compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment.

“Anything short of this would amount to a betrayal of justice, an assault on democracy, a violation of the rule of law and disenfranchisement of the entire people of Warri Federal Constituency in the forthcoming general elections.”