Members of the Itsekiri nationality occupied the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja on Monday to protest the 2025 ward and polling unit delineation exercise conducted for Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State. The demonstration was led by youth bodies including Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths and Warri Reclamation Thrust, who said the exercise threatens the political representation and ancestral identity of Itsekiri communities across Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.

Protesters faulted the proposals released by INEC on May 20 in Asaba, arguing that the fieldwork and GIS mapping did not comply with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, or the commission’s own guidelines for delineation. The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought described the process as fraudulent and rejected the recommendations, while the Itsekiri National Youth Council called the exercise unacceptable and provocative. A key grievance raised is that the delineation reduced Itsekiri wards from ten to six and allegedly transferred some areas to other ethnic groups. Community leaders insist that INEC’s role should remain strictly administrative and electoral, and not extend to identifying communities, interpreting demographics, or classifying territories.

The youth groups have urged INEC to review the proposed delineation and investigate concerns raised about the credibility and technical integrity of the exercise. They also appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to intervene to prevent tension in the region. During the protest in Abuja, an INEC official received the demonstrators and assured them that the commission would examine their complaints and engage relevant community leaders to address the issues. The delineation stems from a Supreme Court judgment that directed INEC to conduct fresh mapping in the three Warri local government areas, though Itsekiri groups maintain the court did not nullify existing wards or voter registers.

Meanwhile, Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups in the constituency have backed INEC’s report, describing it as courageous and a step toward resolving longstanding political disputes in the area. As of the time of reporting, INEC had not issued a formal public statement on the protest. Youth leaders have asked Itsekiri youths to remain calm and law-abiding while pressing for what they call a legal and proper delineation exercise.