Women are demanding that exercise be suspended and that a new, open procedure be implemented.
By Jannamike Luminous
ABUJA—The Warri Indigenous Women Forum peacefully but resolutely protested yesterday at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Abuja headquarters, accusing the commission of conducting a redelineation exercise that they believe jeopardizes the political survival of the Itsekiri people in Delta State.
The women called on INEC to halt the exercise right away, cautioning that doing so while court cases were still pending may be considered contempt of court and jeopardize the peace in the Niger Delta.
They described the situation as having serious political and humanitarian ramifications and urged the Federal Government, the UN, and the international community to step in.
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The formal submission of a petition to INEC marked the conclusion of the protest march.
Mrs. Tenumah Alero, the chairperson of the Warri Indigenous Women Forum, spoke on behalf of the women, while Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, National Commissioner for the North West, represented INEC’s leadership when the commission received the group.
The women claimed in the petition that the re-delineation process, which was purportedly carried out under the immediate former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, violated the political and fundamental rights of the Itsekiri Nation, whose ancestral homeland they maintain is entirely contained within the Warri Federal Constituency.
“The Itsekiri Nation owns the lands surrounding the Warri Federal Constituency, a historical fact that was known to the world long before the Amalgamation and Treaty,” the demonstrators declared.
They contended that the Itsekiri people’s longer history of violence and marginalization cannot be separated from the current conflict.
According to the petition, “since 1999, there have been intentional and coordinated efforts by our neighbors to eradicate the Itsekiri people of Warri Kingdom through a well-planned criminal campaign of violence, displacement, and systematic marginalization.”
Investigations into the exercise, according to the women, reveal that it was essentially faulty and intended to accomplish political exclusion.
Additionally, they charged INEC with neglecting pending legal actions, such as the Federal High Court’s Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CV/443/2025 and the Court of Appeal in Abuja’s Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/1457/2025.
The petition stated, “Any further action by INEC on this matter amounts to contempt of court and a direct threat to peace and order.”
The women also denounced allegations that coordinating points were set up in sections of Delta State outside of the Warri Federal Constituency and in the states of Edo and Ondo to establish polling places for non-residents and non-indigenous people.
Additionally, they cited a December 2025 Court of Appeal, Asaba Division verdict that upheld Itsekiri ownership of the Ogbe-Ijoh community, arguing that INEC lacks the legal right to intervene in opposition to the decision.
“We are formally submitting a well-written petition that we have prepared in support of that,” she stated.
She also thanked His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, for his guidance and assistance.
However, the women insisted that a total suspension of the exercise and a new, independent, and transparent redelineation procedure conducted in accordance with the law and in the interest of peace, justice, and national unity are the only ways to rebuild confidence.
“This is democracy in action,” INEC replies.
Prof. Zuru responded on behalf of INEC, thanking the women for their nonviolent behavior and promising to take their concerns into consideration.
He emphasized that INEC makes judgments as a group and affirmed that the petition would be duly presented before the commission.
“This is democracy at work.” “Rest assured that every submission will be thoroughly examined,” the INEC Commissioner stated.
