By Jose Oby 
WARRI, DELTA STATE – The Itsekiri ethnic group in Nigeria’s Niger Delta has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with neighboring Urhobo and Ijaw communities, of a deliberate plot to undermine their ancestral land rights through electoral manipulation.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the Itsekiri reaffirmed their historical claim to Warri while condemning INEC’s ward delineation practices as biased and unlawful.
Historical Context and Legal Claims:
The Itsekiri assert that Warri Federal Constituency has been their homeland since approximately 1480 AD, spanning over 545 years. They acknowledge that Urhobo and Ijaw groups later settled in the area as “customary tenants and residents” but allege these groups are now colluding to seize control of Itsekiri land. Citing colonial-era Privy Council rulings and Nigerian Supreme Court decisions, the Itsekiri maintain that their ownership of Warri and its environs has been consistently upheld.
Allegations of Electoral Manipulation:
The Itsekiri’s grievances center on the delineation of electoral wards in Warri South Local Government. They claim INEC originally designated ten wards—eight for Itsekiri areas and two for Urhobo areas—but later increased this to twelve, reducing Itsekiri wards to six while granting Urhobo an equal number. The Itsekiri allege this change, deemed illegal by a court, has been ignored by INEC since 2003, with elections conducted under the disputed 12-ward structure.
Following a Supreme Court order for constituency re-delineation, the Itsekiri welcomed the ruling but criticized INEC for excluding them from consultations and appointing Ijaw officials to oversee the process, raising concerns of bias. They describe the resulting delineation as fraught with “monumental distortions” and plan to release visual evidence to support their claims.
Refuting Misrepresentations:
The Itsekiri also addressed what they call a misrepresentation of a Supreme Court ruling (SC309/74), which some have cited to claim Urhobo ownership of Warri. They clarified that the case involved a farmland dispute between two Itsekiri families in Okere and did not pertain to Warri’s broader ownership. The group condemned such narratives as attempts to mislead the public.
Demand for Fairness:
The Itsekiri called on INEC to respect court rulings and ensure transparency in electoral processes. They emphasized their commitment to peaceful resolution but warned against ongoing marginalization, framing their struggle as one for “truth, justice, and the preservation of our history.”
As tensions rise, stakeholders fear further escalation unless INEC addresses the concerns promptly.