IYC to INEC: “Implement Delineation Report Without Delay, Ignore External Distractions”

By Favour Bibaikefie

Warri, Nigeria – July 16, 2025: The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a strong worded statement condemning a recent call by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) for the reversal of the Ward Delineation exercise been undertaken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Warri Federal Constituency. Reacting to comments credited to the OPC Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, the National Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Amb. Dr. Princewill Yerin Binebai, described the statement as reckless, provocative, and an unwarranted interference in Niger Delta Affairs. The council maintained that INEC was only executing a valid Supreme Court judgment and warned the OPC to stay within its bounds,asserting that Warri and it’s political processes are not under Yoruba jurisdiction.

Read details of the press release below:

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide Press Statement.

July 16, 2025

Wards Delineation In Warri: IYC Warns OPC, Want Urgent Implementation Of INEC Field Report

The attention of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has been drawn to a certain provocative, reckless, and senseless statement credited to one of the supposed revered Yoruba sociocultural organisation under the auspices of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), wherein it dared to urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reverse the Wards Delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State via a publication authored by Yinka Oguntimehin, Publicity Secretary of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) recently on national dailies. This audacious statement has ignited a tempest of concern within our organisation, compelling us to respond with utmost urgency and clarity.

Ordinarily, it is not in our interest to respond to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, but because this is coming from a supposed respected organisation in Yoruba land, it is crucial that the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide respond to put the misleading and false information peddled by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in proper perspective. We are dismayed that the OPC, once a beacon of credibility and enviable status in Yoruba land, has descended to this lamentable level of speaking without an informed position and sadistically displaying crass ignorance on the issue astake, a development that is both distressing and perturbing.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is merely carrying out a Supreme Court judgment, a sacrosanct directive that brooks no interference or manipulation. It is not a tool to be directed by the Oodua Peoples Congress on when and how to reverse or carry out an already concluded Ward Delineation exercise in Warri. The OPC must know its limits and boundaries in Nigeria, respecting the Niger Delta and Ijaw areas, where they have no business to meddle.

The Oodua Peoples Congress must understand that the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide will not continue to take such careless and provocative remarks from the OPC going forward. We will not be swayed by empty rhetoric or veiled threats, and we will steadfastly defend our rights and interests.

It is essential to reiterate that the INEC field report was conducted with the full participation of all Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri representatives in the Warri Federal Constituency, a process characterised by fairness, transparency, and credibility. The outcome of this exercise is a testament to the efficacy of inclusive and participatory governance.

Warri and indeed the entire Delta State are peaceful, with no tension regarding the outcome of the delineation. The Federal Government’s efforts in apprehending those who attempted to smuggle guns into our state to cause trouble have been commendable. We call on the Federal Government to pursue the gun smuggling matter to its logical conclusion, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

We make it clear that whatever the Itsekiris were enjoying in Warri Federal Constituency prior to the Supreme Court judgment is nothing but fraud and non-existent now. The Ijaws will never accept going back to the old exploitative and manipulative arrangement, which was characterised by injustice and inequity. We must respect the independence of INEC and the rule of law in this country, upholding the principles of fairness and justice.

Nigeria is not a banana republic, where the rule of law is trampled upon with impunity. Counter-publications from the Itsekiris and OPC, threatening fire and brimstone, will not hold water in this case, as their reactions lack substance and truth. We will not be intimidated by such tactics, and we will continue to advocate for justice and fairness.

The Niger Delta region is not under the jurisdiction of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) or the Yoruba people. The IYC wonders at the audacity, impunity, and temerity with which the OPC is speaking regarding Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State. No amount of connivance will be allowed to suppress justice and the independence of INEC.

There is no single community in the INEC field report on the Warri Federal Constituency wards delineation exercise within the Ijaw territories that does not belong to the Ijaws in Warri South West, Warri South, and Warri North. This is a fact that is evident to all, and we will not allow it to be distorted or manipulated.

While the Ijaws have never interfered with the excellent work INEC is doing, it is our call that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must not delay any further in implementing the drafted field report. We urge INEC to uphold its independence and impartiality, ensuring that justice is served and the rights of all parties are respected.

Signed,

Amb (Dr) Binebai Yerin Princewill

Spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council

Reaffirming it’s stance, the IYC called on the INEC to proceed without further delays in implementing the delineation report, describing the exercise as fair, inclusive, and representative of all ethnic groups in Warri Federal Constituency. The council also lauded Federal Security efforts in curbing recent attempts to destabilize the region and emphasized that no amount of external pressure or threats would deter the Ijaw people from pursuing justice. “The era of manipulation is over” the statement read. “We will resist all attempts reverse hard-won gains and remain resolute in defending the dignity, rights, and political equity of the Ijaw nation”