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The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities on Monday held a joint press conference in Warri, Delta State, where they warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the ward delineation exercise they commenced a few months ago.
They threatened that, should INEC fail to heed their warning to complete the exercise and initiate a new voters registration in the Warri federal constituency, they would “make Nigeria pay” by shutting down all oil production in Ijaw and Urhobo areas.
They stated that 90 per cent of Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves are located in Ijaw and Urhobo territory, and that Nigeria would suffer the consequences if some powerful forces manipulate INEC to truncate the ongoing ward delineation exercise in the Warri federal constituency.
In a joint statement read by Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Hon. Deinbofa Oweikpodor, and signed by Dr. Joel Bisina, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Rev. Samuel Ako, Chief Emmanuel Sekondi, Hon. Frank Pukon, and several others, they stated they would be disenfranchised if INEC begins a new process of voters registration.
They stated that the Supreme Court’s order for judgment to be drawn upon INEC to delineate new wards and units in Warri presupposes that the existing wards were flawed and do not meet statutory requirements for credible future elections.
The Supreme Court ordered judgement on INEC, stating that the words to “conduct fresh delineation” mean that, in the eyes of the law, there are no longer electoral wards and units in Warri until the new exercise is completed.
That it is criminal, illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court judgement by INEC, proceeding with the registration of voters in Warri Federal Constituency, as there are no longer In existence electoral wards and units upon which the ongoing voter’s registration can stand. They quoted Lord Denning in the landmark case of UAC Vs McToy (1963) “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand”.
They demanded that INEC should immediately release and implement the report painstakingly embarked upon by stakeholders, adding, “We shall not idly stand by and watch our democratic rights and franchise fretted away by INEC’s lawlessness and disastrous irresponsibility. A stitch in time saves nine.” (The Guardian)
