Tinubu Asked to Uphold Rule of Law in Warri Constituency Delineation Dispute

Leaders and stakeholders from the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic communities in Delta State have called on President Bola Tinubu to uphold the rule of law by ensuring the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on the delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency.

The appeal comes amid growing tensions over the delayed implementation of the fresh constituency delineation exercise ordered by the Supreme Court and carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The stakeholders accused unnamed forces of attempting to frustrate the implementation of the electoral body’s final report, which was presented to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20, 2026.

Speaking during a peaceful protest in Warri, representatives of the Ijaw and Urhobo communities insisted that INEC should be allowed to perform its constitutional responsibilities without interference. The protesters argued that the Supreme Court’s judgment on the matter is final and binding on all authorities and institutions in the country, stressing that any delay in implementation undermines democratic principles and the rule of law.

The demonstrators carried placards urging the Federal Government to respect judicial decisions and allow the electoral commission to proceed with the implementation of the delineation report ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections. They also called on security agencies to focus on maintaining peace rather than obstructing the process.

According to the stakeholders, INEC’s report created additional electoral wards and state constituencies within the Warri Federal Constituency in compliance with the Supreme Court directive. They warned that prolonged delays could heighten political tensions in the area and revive grievances linked to previous conflicts in the Warri region.

Prominent Urhobo leader Chief Femi Okumagba and Ijaw leaders, including Godspower Gbenekama and Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, urged President Tinubu, the INEC leadership and the National Security Adviser to ensure that constitutional provisions are respected. They maintained that democracy can only thrive where court judgments are obeyed and electoral institutions are allowed to operate independently.

The controversy has continued to generate reactions across the Warri Federal Constituency, with Itsekiri groups also presenting objections to aspects of the delineation exercise and calling for further review of the process.

As stakeholders await the next steps from INEC and the Federal Government, community leaders have appealed for calm while urging all parties to pursue their grievances through lawful and peaceful channels.