•Nigerian Senate chamber
The Senate has resolved to investigate the ongoing delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State, following concerns of alleged marginalisation and irregularities raised in a petition before the upper chamber today.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South), titled ‘Urgent Need for Intervention to Prevent Imminent Political Crisis Over the INEC Delineation Exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State,’ reports Channels TV.
In his lead debate, Lalong said the motion was informed by a petition from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, forwarded to the Senate committee on electoral matters, alleging unjust treatment and marginalisation of the Itsekiri people in the recent INEC ward delineation exercise.
According to him, the petitioners claimed that while two communities, Gbaramatu and Oporoza, which previously had one ward each, were increased to eight out of the nineteen wards created in Warri South-West Local Government Area, the Itsekiri community, which earlier had six wards, was reduced to five.
The development, he stated, had triggered tension and accusations of bias.
Lalong added that the petitioners further alleged that the INEC report of April 4, 2025, did not accurately reflect the realities on the ground across the three local government areas that make up Warri Federal Constituency.
He noted that the report had also drawn objections from sections of the Ijaw community of Ogbe-Ijo and some Urhobo groups, who cited inconsistencies and errors in the delineation exercise.
He underscored that INEC’s constitutional mandate, as outlined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), focuses on ensuring credible elections and does not extend to engaging in ethnic profiling or altering local demographic balances.
The petitioners also claimed that some of the geographical coordinates used in INEC’s delineation mapped communities outside Delta State, allegedly placing them within Edo and Ondo states, prompting the Ijaw groups to describe the entire process as fraudulent.
However, tension flared during the debate when Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South) objected to the discussion, arguing that the matter was already before a court and therefore subjudice.
He maintained that the Senate should not deliberate on an issue pending judicial determination.
In response, Lalong retorted that the motion stemmed from a referral from the Presidential Villa, sparking a heated exchange between both lawmakers.
The Senate President also intervened, concurring that the matter could be subjudice, proposing that it be referred to relevant committees for careful examination.
The Senate subsequently resolved to refer the motion to the committees on judiciary, human rights and legal matters, as well as electoral matters.
It directed them to investigate the allegations and report back within four weeks.
