Members of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality on Monday stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) in Abuja to protest the 2025 polling unit delineation exercise in the Delta State, particularly the Warri Federal Constituency.
The demonstration marks the third time this year that the group has occupied the commission’s headquarters over what they describe as marginalisation in the outcome of the exercise.
The protesters, who carried placards and sang solidarity songs in their native dialect, called on INEC to revisit the delineation process, insisting that the exercise unfairly disadvantaged the Itsekiri people in the distribution of polling units and wards.
At the centre of the dispute is the restructuring of polling units and creation of new wards in Warri Federal Constituency, which the protesters insist was not done in a fair and balanced manner.
They argued that the process has led to what they described as inequitable representation among ethnic groups in the constituency and demanded an immediate review.
The demonstrators maintained that INEC must ensure fairness and equity in future electoral arrangements, stressing that the current structure does not reflect demographic realities on the ground.
Responding to the protesters, INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Zuru, assured them that the commission was already reviewing concerns raised about the exercise.
However, the protest later turned tense after another group arrived at the scene and confronted the demonstrators, urging them to allow INEC to carry out its constitutional duties without interference.
The controversy surrounding the Warri delineation exercise has persisted since the beginning of the year, sparking repeated protests both in support of and against the commission’s decision.
While some groups, including segments of the Ijaw and Urhobo communities, have backed the current arrangement, the Itsekiri have continued to reject it, insisting that it undermines their representation and calling for a comprehensive review of the process.
