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No fewer than 100 Urhobo and Itsekiri residents of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta, on Wednesday, staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Asaba.
The protesters, led by Mr Samuel Meyiwa, an Itsekiri-born, accused INEC of introducing fictitious names, unfamiliar wards and questionable polling units into Warri South’s electoral structure.
They warned that the alleged irregularities could undermine their political representation at the upcoming general elections in the area.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Meyiwa said they wanted INEC “to correct the irregularities, remove questionable entries and ensure that the electoral structure reflects the genuine ancestral settlements and interests of the different ethnic groups”.
He expressed disappointment that INEC’s latest list allegedly contradicted an agreement reached during previous stakeholder meetings at the office of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
He said that stakeholders agreed that fictitious names and addresses, allegedly introduced into Warri South’s electoral records, should be removed.
He questioned why the latest list failed to reflect the understanding.
“We were all at the meeting, and the understanding was that the fictitious names and addresses in Warri South should be removed.
“But INEC has released another list. So, what has happened to the agreement we reached? Meyiwa asked.
He alleged that unfamiliar names and addresses were introduced into the electoral records “without verifiable ancestral connections to the affected communities”.
He explained that the protest was “not intended to create ethnic hostility but demand fairness and respect for the agreement reached by stakeholders”.
Also, the Urhobo representative at the protest, Mr Eforele Marcus, alleged that “INEC introduced unfamiliar ward names and altered the existing electoral structure”, in ways, he said, could undermine Urhobo political representation.
“It brought names that are not in existence in our communities.
“Some of the ward names are strange to the people of Warri South. I have never heard of them before,” Marcus said.
He also questioned the alleged creation of additional wards and polling units, insisting that the commission should restore what the protesters considered “a fair electoral arrangement.
“We are here for INEC to correct the wrongs it has done,” he said.
Responding, the Delta Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Etekamba Udo-Umoren, urged the protesters to submit their grievances in writing for onward transmission to INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Udo-Umoren requested for a comprehensive position paper, detailing their complaints, previous engagements with the commission, outstanding issues and expected corrective measures.
“I think it would be better for you to present your position to me in writing.
“Let us have a position paper explaining the situation, what has been done, what you think has not been done and your expectations,” he said.
Udo-Umoren assured the protesters that his office would receive their complaints and forward the documents to the national headquarters for consideration.
He also acknowledged their right to peaceful protest and urged them to avoid violence while pursuing their demands.
Also, the Delta Commissioner of Police, Mr Samuel Erale, appealed to the protesters to submit copies of previous petitions and reports to his office.
Erale, who disclosed that he had spent less than two months in the state, promised to bring the matter to the attention of the Inspector-General of Police (IG).
He warned that the dispute could threaten the peace in Delta, if not properly addressed.
“I will write to the IG to inform him that this matter has the potential to cause trouble in Delta and urge him to look into it,” he said.
The police chief assured the protesters of his commitment to maintaining the peace in the state and urged them to cooperate with security agencies.
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