ABUJA — Members of the Ijaw ethnic group from Warri, Delta State, on Thursday staged a peaceful solidarity rally at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to express their support for the commission’s delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency.
The group praised INEC for what they described as a fair and lawful implementation of a Supreme Court judgment regarding electoral boundaries in the area. According to them, the move marks the end of nearly three decades of political marginalization.
Speaking during the rally, Chief David Reje, spokesman for the Ijaw delegation, said the Ijaw people had endured over 29 years of unfair ward allocation. He lauded INEC for upholding the rule of law and ensuring inclusiveness in the delineation exercise.
“We are here to appreciate and thank INEC for its good work since 2022 after the Supreme Court judgment,” Reje stated. “You engaged all stakeholders — the Ijaws, Itsekiris, and Urhobos — including their traditional rulers. You visited the communities, carried out fieldwork, and developed a proposed report based on firsthand observation.”
He dismissed allegations that the process lacked stakeholder consultation, noting that various ethnic groups participated in discussions held in Warri, Asaba, and other locations. He also addressed objections from some Itsekiri groups, emphasizing the transparency and legitimacy of the delineation process.
“Gone are the days of arbitrary ward allocations. What INEC has done is a diligent and transparent delineation process, not done in secret but through extensive fieldwork,” Reje said.
Describing the development as a shift toward political freedom for the Ijaw people, Reje added, “We have moved from political slavery to political emancipation. No longer will others dictate our candidates. This is about cooperation, not domination. We seek a united federal constituency where all groups can thrive.”
The protesters were received by INEC officials, including National Commissioners Prof. Abdullahi Zuru and Malam Mohammed Haruna.
In his response, Prof. Zuru thanked the group for their peaceful conduct and their support for the Commission’s work.
“We appreciate your recognition of the Commission’s efforts. INEC remains committed to doing what is right to uphold democracy in Nigeria. With God’s help, we will continue to let democracy guide all our decisions,” he said.
The rally concluded without incident, as the group reaffirmed their commitment to unity and democratic values in Warri Federal Constituency.
