Youths of the Itsekiri community, Warri, Delta State, have condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the creation of communities and wards in three local government areas in the state.
During a peaceful protest at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja, the community opposed the commission’s delineation, claiming it violated a Supreme Court judgement and disregarded established boundaries by creating unacceptable communities and wards that previously did not exist in Warri.
Protesters were seen carrying various placards with inscriptions opposing INEC’s delineation proposal.
Speaking to newsmen during the protest, the community youth leader, Ogbegbe Misan, stated that the entire Itsekiri community is against delineation.
He accused INEC of singling out Warri communities in its delineation proposal and alleged compromise on the part of the commission.
“The Itsekiris have rejected what they called a false delineation,” he said.
Another community leader, Toju Itsegba, accused INEC of a deliberate attempt to suppress, marginalise, and push the Itsekiri people towards extinction.
He said, “Supreme Court judgement only permits the delineation of old wards, not the creation of new ones”.
In response, an INEC official who came to receive the protesters’ complaints assured them that the commission would look into their plight and invite relevant community leaders in an effort to resolve the issues.
