Warri on edge: INEC delineation storm triggers explosive ethnic pushback as Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo reject consensus report

Tensions have intensified in Warri Federal Constituency following the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ward and polling unit delineation report, with the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities locked in a fresh wave of disagreement over its interpretation and implementation.

The INEC exercise, carried out under a Supreme Court directive to restructure electoral wards across Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West in Delta State, was widely expected to calm long-standing political friction in the region.

Instead, it has reignited deep-rooted grievances and sharpened ethnic divisions across the oil-rich area.

INEC maintains that the delineation process followed constitutional provisions, demographic realities and judicial instructions aimed at strengthening fair representation.

However, stakeholders from the three ethnic groups have continued to raise objections, with each side arguing that the outcome either distorts historical settlement patterns or undermines political balance.

Community leaders warn that the widening disagreement could destabilize already fragile relations in Warri, where disputes over representation, land ownership and political influence have persisted for decades.

Despite ongoing consultations and stakeholder engagements, a unified position remains elusive as pressure mounts on electoral authorities to revisit or clarify contentious aspects of the report.

Political observers caution that if the dispute is not urgently managed, it could escalate into broader unrest and further complicate electoral confidence in the Niger Delta region.