The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it has not made a final decision on how to redraw ward boundaries in Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West, despite a Supreme Court order in 2022 calling for the changes.
In a statement on Thursday, INEC’s spokesperson Sam Olumekun warned the public not to believe false claims that the process is already complete. He said that spreading wrong information could lead to tension in the area.
According to Olumekun, INEC has been talking with key groups in the affected areas since February 2023. These talks continued until July 2024 and included meetings with community leaders and other important voices. Afterward, INEC carried out on-the-ground checks and put together a draft plan for how the wards could be reorganized.
Last Friday, another round of talks was held in Warri. At that meeting, stakeholders received copies of the draft report and were asked to give their opinions. “Our goal is to agree on a plan that everyone supports,” Olumekun said.
He made it clear that no final decision has been made yet and encouraged people to send in their feedback so it can be considered before anything is finalized.
INEC also asked everyone in the area to stay peaceful and not do anything that could create conflict. “We’re committed to fairness, the law, and listening to all sides,” the statement said.
The ward boundary issue has long been a sensitive one in Delta State, often tied to political and ethnic differences. With this process still ongoing, INEC is urging everyone to be patient and work together.
