Warri Ward Delineation: Justice must come before politics — Mene, lawyer

…’Why Tinubu should suspend exercise, probe process’

By Kennedy Mbele

Dennis Abugewa Mene is a Warri-based legal practitioner, historian, human rights advocate, and President of the Itsekiri National Development Initiative, INDI.

He has been actively involved in issues relating to governance, community development, and the protection of the historical and constitutional rights of communities in the Niger Delta. In this interview, Mene speaks on the controversy surrounding the ward delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency, the recent intervention by President Bola Tinubu, and the concerns raised by Itsekiri stakeholders.

He argues that justice, fairness, due process, and respect for historical realities must guide any resolution of the dispute. He also calls on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the delineation exercise and institute an independent investigation into the entire process. Exrcepts:

What is your overall assessment of the Presidential intervention on the Warri Federal Constituency matter?

We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s timely intervention because it helped prevent the issue from degenerating into a major crisis within the Warri Federal Constituency and the wider Niger Delta region. However, we remain concerned that the Presidency may not have received a complete picture of the concerns and grievances expressed by all stakeholders. We expected a process firmly guided by justice, fairness, equity, and strict adherence to the rule of law.

What specific concerns do you have about events before and during the stakeholders’ meeting?
We were concerned that certain inflammatory statements and derogatory remarks allegedly made by some representatives against the President were not adequately addressed. Respect for national institutions and the office of the President is essential in any democratic society, and actions capable of creating unnecessary tension should not be overlooked.

What major irregularities did you identify in the delineation exercise?

Several serious concerns have been raised regarding the delineation exercise, including:
Alleged boundary distortions involving communities reportedly introduced from outside the Warri Federal Constituency. Claims regarding the creation of polling units in riverine and reportedly uninhabited locations. Concerns over changes to historical community names and identities.

Questions surrounding the creation of wards in areas whose legal and historical status remain disputed.
These are serious issues that deserve immediate, transparent, and independent examination to preserve confidence in the process.

Can you explain concerns regarding historical community identities and ward creation in Warri South?
There are strong concerns that some ancestral Itsekiri communities may have been renamed or reclassified in ways that could affect historical identity, ownership records, and long established community heritage. Questions have also been raised regarding the creation of certain wards and whether such actions align with existing legal decisions and judicial pronouncements. We believe these issues must be objectively reviewed in the interest of justice and historical truth.

Why do you reject the current ward distribution formula and what are the concerns regarding territorial representation?

We believe the current allocation process does not adequately reflect voter distribution and demographic realities within the Warri Federal Constituency. Stakeholders have also expressed serious concerns regarding territorial representation and community identity. Many strongly believe that the ward and polling unit delineation process should never create any impression of territorial expansion or land acquisition through administrative procedures. Stakeholders are therefore demanding a transparent and independent review process to ensure full compliance with legal frameworks, historical realities, and the principles of fairness and justice.

There are also concerns regarding territorial representation and community identity. Can you explain this further?

There are concerns among many Itsekiri stakeholders regarding claims by some Ijaw groups concerning communities within the Warri Federal Constitu-ency. The position held by many within the Itsekiri community is that both ethnic groups already have established local government areas within Delta State.

Itsekiri communities are predominantly represented within Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas, while Ijaw communities also have representation in local government areas such as Burutu, Bomadi, and Patani. Many stakeholders maintain that the longstanding peaceful, accommodating, and hospitable disposition of the Itsekiri people toward neighboring communities should not be interpreted in a way that undermines historical territorial arrangements and established boundaries.

Concerns have therefore been raised that the ward and polling unit delineation process must not be used in any manner capable of creating perceptions of territorial expansion or indirect land acquisition through administrative mechanisms. For this reason, stakeholders are calling for a transparent and independent review process to ensure that all actions taken by relevant institutions, including electoral authorities, strictly comply with legal frameworks, historical realities, and the principles of fairness and justice.

What concerns do you have regarding the role of INEC officials?

There are concerns regarding transparency and procedural compliance in the conduct of the process. We believe an independent investigation should thoroughly examine all parties involved to determine whether established guidelines, procedures, and regulations were properly followed.

What are your key demands moving forward?

Our demands are straightforward: An immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into the entire delineation process, including all institutions and individuals involved. Suspension of the implementation of the ward delineation exercise until all disputes, alleged boundary concerns, and historical issues have been comprehensively reviewed and resolved.

What message do you want to send to the Federal Government and stakeholders?

The Itsekiri people seek justice, fairness, and equal treatment under the law. We firmly believe that lasting peace can only be achieved through transparency, respect for historical realities, and strict adherence to due process. We urge all stakeholders to work toward a peaceful, lawful, and sustainable resolution that protects justice and promotes unity.

The post Warri Ward Delineation: Justice must come before politics — Mene, lawyer appeared first on Vanguard News.