Political and traditional leaders of the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have voiced strong opposition to the recent ward delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as unjust and unrepresentative of their population strength.

Speaking at a press conference held in Warri late on Tuesday, Honourable Matthew Poko Opuoru, Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Environment, and a former commissioner and member of the Delta State House of Assembly, criticised the allocation of only one ward to the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.

?I strongly believe that Okere-Urhobo Kingdom has the most populous area among Warri South,? Hon. Opuoru stated. ?We have the voting strength, and our boundary is beyond imagination. The political class and the people of Okere-Urhobo are not satisfied that we are being given only one ward.?

He added, ?We are appealing to those in power to ensure that we are carried along. We should be given additional wards ? at least four.

?Let me categorically state that we have no problems with the Itsekiris, the Ijaws, or Agbarha. We are just advocating for what is due to us based on our population, capability, and voter strength.?

Highlighting specific areas, Opuoru noted, ?In Okumagba Two, we have 37 units that can be split into two wards. In Okumagba One, we have 31 units. The population in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom is humongous. We are simply asking for equity.?

Chief Jude Onovughe Igheregbuo also criticised the delineation process, calling it flawed and imbalanced. ?We the people of Okere-Urhobo in Warri South Local Government Area express our utmost disappointment and dissatisfaction towards the ongoing ward delineation. We reject it in its entirety because it was not properly done,? he said.

?There are too many abnormalities. Our areas were not correctly captured or placed in their rightful locations. We call on the authorities to address these issues properly because, as the saying goes, ?he that comes to equity must come with clean hands,?? Igheregbuo added.

Chief Venture Daniels Evwerhanre, a member of the Delta State Public Board, expressed frustration over the neglect of Okere-Urhobo?s proposals. ?It is very obvious that we have been short-changed,? he said. ?We proposed six wards, and you?re giving us one. It is not acceptable to us in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.?

?We are asking the authorities to go back and look into this properly,? he continued. ?We are not against the Itsekiris, the Ijaws, or our brothers from Agbarha. We are simply asking what is due to us. INEC should capture our areas properly and give us what we deserve.?

Ambassador Duke Ufuoma Baro, a former chairman of Okumagba Ward Two and a member of the delineation committee, expressed surprise at the outcome of the process. ?According to INEC?s delineation guidelines, there are procedures and processes to be followed. We followed every step. We submitted documents showing that Okere-Urhobo has the population and boundaries,? he said.

?We were shocked when INEC released a result that did not reflect what we presented. We expect INEC to go back to our documents and align their conclusions with the truth on the ground,? he added.

The leaders, who spoke in the company of a crowd of Okere-Urhobo indigenes, maintained that their demand is rooted in fairness and electoral integrity. ?We are only asking for the wards to reflect the population. That is all,? said Hon Opuoru.

Their collective appeal puts fresh pressure on INEC to revisit the delineation exercise and ensure that it upholds the principles of equity, representation, and democratic fairness in Delta State. (Nigerian Tribune)

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