By Charles Pemu 
A former member of the House of Representatives for Warri federal constituency, Hon. Temi Harriman, has publicly charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to its establishing laws and operate with integrity.
Harriman gave the charge in Lagos during the public presentation of the book, ‘INEC Corrupt Practices: The Siamese Twins and Warri Federal Constituency’, co-authored by the Egogo of Warri Kingdom, Chief Robinson Ariyo, and Jolone Ikomi.
The former lawmaker insisted that only strict compliance with the law can finally resolve the deep-seated controversies surrounding INEC’s recent ward and polling unit re-delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency, a constituency shared by the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups.
“INEC has been told to revisit this matter because the genesis of the problem must be addressed systematically, from the ground up. Respecting the law is the only way to sustain peace. Nigeria is not a jungle,” Harriman stressed. She urged INEC to shun “face-saving” tactics and use the opportunity to correct past missteps, affirming that for Nigeria to function effectively, institutions like INEC and the judiciary must operate with credibility.
Controversy and Marginalization Claims
Co-author Chief Robinson Ariyo, a lawyer and spokesperson of Warri Kingdom, traced the controversy back to 1997, when an interlocutory court order restrained INEC from creating 12 new wards in Warri South Local Government Area—an order the commission allegedly ignored. Ariyo argued that the book exposes what he described as INEC’s “complacency,” which he alleged may have been influenced by inducement from vested interests.
The co-convener of the Warri Reclamation Trust, Bright Omaghomi, highlighted the political marginalization resulting from the dispute, lamenting that among the ethnic nationalities in Delta South, the Itsekiri are currently without a senator, significantly hindering legislative progress.
Ariyo, while appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for keeping the long-standing agitation, particularly from the Itsekiri, under consideration, noted that the President inherited the problem but has demonstrated awareness of the issue.
The book launch, held at The Lilygate Hotel in Lekki, Lagos, drew a distinguished audience of legal luminaries and political stakeholders. The event was not without drama, however, as some INEC officials reportedly walked out at the height of allegations leveled against the commission.