Warri South: Protesters accuse INEC of uploading fraudulent ward structure

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

A stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Asaba, Delta State, was disrupted by angry youths protesting alleged irregularities in the ward structure of Warri South Local Government Area.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state was reportedly forced to leave the venue through a back entrance as the protesters disrupted proceedings, demanding the immediate correction of what they described as a fraudulent ward report allegedly uploaded on INEC’s official portal.

The aggrieved youths reportedly challenged the inclusion of communities they claimed were not indigenous Ijaw settlements in Warri South, insisting that there was no single Ijaw aboriginal community in the local government area.

They accused those behind the disputed ward structure of attempting to manipulate the electoral arrangement in a manner they feared could undermine the political representation and interests of their people.

The protesters maintained that INEC must address their grievances and review the disputed report before proceeding with further electoral preparations.

They warned that any attempt by the commission to rely on the contested ward structure ahead of the 2027 general elections could trigger a political crisis in the area.

In a strong warning, the youths declared that there would be no election in the Warri Federal Constituency if INEC failed to resolve the controversy and correct the alleged irregularities.

The disruption reportedly brought the stakeholders’ meeting to an abrupt interruption, with the protesters insisting that their concerns could no longer be ignored by the electoral commission.

The controversy has raised concerns over the potential implications of disputed ward delineations for electoral representation, political participation and confidence in the electoral process in the affected communities.

INEC is expected to address the allegations and clarify the status of the disputed ward report, particularly as preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.

However, the specific provisions of the disputed report, the identities of the communities allegedly affected and INEC’s position on the protesters’ claims were not immediately available.