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OPEN LETTER TO INEC, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
By: Niger Delta Advocacy Force (NDAF)
DATE: 11th August 2025
RE: The Urgent Need to Release the Supreme Court, Ordered Warri Delineation Result
We write with a righteous fury born from centuries of betrayal, with the memories of our ancestors whispering in our ears and with the burden of a generation that refuses to be buried twice. Warri Federal Constituency has endured a political tragedy, a deliberate architecture of injustice built brick by brick from the colonial era until this very day. INEC’s continued refusal to release the Supreme Court, ordered delineation result is not a harmless delay, it is the reopening of old wounds, the replay of a script that has turned Warri into a graveyard of peace.
The story is painfully familiar. From the fraudulent colonial leases that stripped the Ijaw and Urhobo majorities of their land to the British-crafted ward structures that handed political dominance to a small minority, the outcome has always been the same, the truth is suffocated, the majority is silenced and a privileged few are inflated beyond their numbers. The Supreme Court, in Timinimi v. INEC (SC/CV/1033/2023), has cut through the lies. The verdict is not ambiguous. The time for INEC to obey is now.
Warri’s history is not abstract, it bleeds. The crises of 1997, 1999, and 2003 were not accidents, they were eruptions from decades of political fraud. The Daily Times, March 25, 1997, recorded the trigger: “The relocation of the local government headquarters to Ogbe-Ijoh sparked retaliatory violence that razed dozens of communities.” The peace we have now is not a natural peace, it is a fragile truce, balancing on a knife’s edge. Every day INEC delays is a day closer to shattering that balance.
Under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the orders of the Supreme Court are binding on all authorities. INEC’s failure to publish the delineation result two years after completing public hearings and mapping is nothing less than contempt of court. This delay is not administrative, it is political and it serves only those who benefit from keeping the fraudulent 6–4–0 ward formula alive, a structure where the Itsekiri minority, barely 25% of Warri population according to the 2006 National Population Census, holds political dominance over the Ijaw and Urhobo majorities.
History does not lie. The British Intelligence Report of 1932 (CO 554/122/6) makes it plain: “Gbaramatu and its surrounding creek communities are populated by Ijaw clans who have occupied the area before the arrival of Portuguese trade.” Yet, under British protection, fraudulent leases transferred the political heart of these territories into the hands of a favoured minority. This delineation exercise, the first in over a century with the potential to reflect reality is our one chance to reverse a hundred years of rigged history.
INEC must understand: in a place like Warri, transparency is not an option, it is a survival tool. To delay is to feed the rumour mill, to validate suspicions that the commission is protecting an ethnic agenda. O. Okohoja’s Who Controls Warri? (2016, Journal of African History) warned us: “Colonial administrative policies entrenched ethnic inequality, creating a volatile political space that has persisted into the postcolonial era.” Those who ignore such warnings repeat the cycle.
The demographic truth is undeniable. INEC’s own Field Assessment Report of 2022 states: “Ijaw and Urhobo communities account for over 70% of polling units in Warri South-West LGA.” These are the figures that must guide democracy not the invented arithmetic of political fraud. And while Nigeria chases global credibility, ECOWAS, the AU and the UN are watching. The world has intervened in Niger Delta crises before and it will again if the flames are rekindled.
Let us be clear, political representation has nothing to do with the palace titles that are being used as distractions. The Olu of Warri rebranded from “Olu of Itsekiri” in 1952 without the consent of the Ijaw or Urhobo is not a constitutional authority over our land or our votes. As the Colonial Record CO 554/120/5 bluntly notes: “The title ‘Olu of Warri’ is a recent invention and has caused unrest among the Ijo and Urhobo populations.” Democracy is not the property of a throne.
We are not blind to the forces at work. From the lobbying of Daisy Danjuma to the suspected influence of Remi Tinubu, we know the hands pulling the strings. INEC must decide, will it stand as a guardian of democracy or as a pawn in the game of elite manipulation? The choice will define its legacy.
This is more than a legal obligation, it is a moral reckoning. INEC is constitutionally empowered under Section 153(1)(f) and Paragraph 15 of the Third Schedule to act independently and in obedience to court orders. To continue delaying is to spit on the law and on the people. We say it plainly: release the Warri delineation result now.
The Ijaw and Urhobo people will not participate in Continuous Voter Registration or elections under an illegal ward structure. No delineation, no CVR. No delineation, no election. This is not a threat, it is the only moral response to a system that refuses to correct itself. The Supreme Court has spoken. The people have spoken. Now, INEC must speak through action.
The world is watching. And if Warri burns again, history will record that the spark was lit in the corridors of those who knew the truth but chose delay over justice.
Signed:
Dr. Tamuno Goodluck (Chairman)
Richard Ovie
(Defence)
Niger Delta Advocacy Force (NDAF)
Cc:
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
INEC Chairman
National Security Adviser
National Assembly
Nigerian Bar Association
ECOWAS
African Union
United Nations
Global Media
By Favour Bibaikefie
YENAGOA — IduwiniVoice Media Limited has lauded the leadership of Prof. Benjamin Okaba, outgoing President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), for overseeing what it described as a historic and credible electoral process, with particular emphasis on the successful deployment of a fully electronic voting system.
In a congratulatory message signed by its Chief Executive Officer/Editor-in-Chief, Prince (Dr.) Peretengboro Klintin Bibaikefie, the media organisation commended Okaba for demonstrating “leadership, intellectual capacity and sagacity” throughout his tenure, noting that his insistence on conducting elections ahead of the constitutional deadline preserved the integrity of the council.
The statement stressed that the decision to avoid any form of interim or ad-hoc leadership structure “saved the Ijaw nation from a familiar pitfall that could have weakened its governance framework,” describing the move as a bold commitment to democratic principles.
Of particular significance, the organisation highlighted the introduction and execution of a fully electronic voting system, which it said marked a turning point in the conduct of internal elections within the Ijaw nation.
According to IduwiniVoice, Okaba’s “provision of necessary resources for the deployment of a totally electronic voting system is astutely exemplary,” adding that the process ensured transparency, efficiency, and credibility throughout the April 13, 2026 elections.
The media outfit further noted that the seamless conduct of the poll, characterized by real-time voting and result transmission, has set a new benchmark not only for socio-cultural organisations but also for national electoral bodies. It described the innovation as “a credible lesson” for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging that such technology be scaled up and replicated in Nigeria’s general elections to enhance public trust and electoral integrity.
IduwiniVoice also used the opportunity to commend the peaceful transition process initiated by the outgoing leadership, noting that Okaba’s readiness to hand over power to a successor reflects a rare commitment to democratic values in a region where leadership continuity is often contested.
The statement added that, “in a world where privileged individuals often cling to power, Prof. Okaba has once again demonstrated that greed, selfishness, and sit-tight tendencies are not reflective of the true character of an Ijaw son.”
As the INC prepares for a new phase under incoming leadership, the organisation wished the outgoing president a smooth transition and success in his future endeavours, applauding his “true patriotism and unwavering service to the Ijaw nation.”
The April 13 election, widely regarded as one of the most technologically driven in the history of the INC, has continued to attract commendation from stakeholders across the Niger Delta, with observers citing the electronic voting model as a pathway for broader electoral reforms in Nigeria.
By Charity Ebi
The emergence of Chief (Amb.) Sheriff Mulade as National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has been described as a strong endorsement of accountability and reform within the apex Ijaw socio-cultural body.
Reacting to the outcome of the April 13, 2026 national elections, the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) said Mulade’s victory reflects the trust reposed in him by delegates across the region, citing his long-standing advocacy for peace, environmental justice, and good governance.
In a statement issued by its President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the forum noted that the election outcome demonstrates a collective desire among Ijaw stakeholders for transparent financial leadership at a time when the INC is expected to reposition itself for greater impact.
Mulade, who is also the National President of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), clinched the treasurer position after a keen contest that attracted widespread interest within the Niger Delta. His emergence, according to observers, signals a shift toward experienced leadership with a proven record in community engagement and advocacy.
The IPF emphasised that the new treasurer’s reputation for prudence and integrity places him in a strategic position to strengthen financial discipline within the congress. The forum added that effective management of resources would be critical in enabling the INC to meet its objectives and respond to the evolving needs of the Ijaw people.
It further urged stakeholders, including leaders, youths, and affiliated groups, to rally support for the newly elected executives to ensure stability and continuity in the organisation’s programmes.
Analysts view Mulade’s election as a defining moment for the INC, expressing optimism that his leadership in the treasury will contribute to improved transparency and institutional growth.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote unity, development, and responsible leadership across Ijawland, while wishing the new treasurer a productive tenure.
By Favour Bibaikefie
YENAGOA — The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has congratulated High Chief Barr. MacDonald Ebi Igbadiwei on his emergence as President-elect of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) following the April 13, 2026 election held at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In a statement released on Monday, the National President of IPF, Ozobo Austin, described Igbadiwei’s victory as a significant turning point for the Ijaw nation, noting that the outcome reflects the collective will and aspirations of the people.
According to the Forum, the mandate given to the President-elect goes beyond electoral success, representing a deeper trust reposed in a leader believed to possess a clear understanding of the region’s historical struggles and the pathway to its progress.
“Igbadiwei rises from the very essence of our land. His emergence signals that the right leadership has taken charge at a critical time,” the statement noted, adding that the moment resonates strongly across Ijaw communities.
The IPF highlighted Igbadiwei’s experience, communication skills, and intellectual depth as qualities that position him to steer the affairs of the Ijaw nation effectively. It expressed confidence that his leadership would foster unity, strengthen communal identity, and advance the socio-political and economic interests of the people.
The Forum further urged the President-elect to remain guided by the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people, emphasizing the need for inclusive leadership anchored on cultural values and shared responsibility.
Meanwhile, the IPF called on all aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders in the recently concluded election to set aside their differences in the interest of unity and progress. It described the contest as an internal democratic exercise that should not create lasting divisions among Ijaw people.
The Forum stressed that pressing challenges facing the region—including environmental concerns, development deficits, and political representation—require a united and coordinated approach.
It appealed to former contenders to contribute their ideas, experience, and support to the new leadership, noting that collective effort remains essential in advancing the Ijaw cause.
According to the IPF, history will favour those who prioritise the common good over personal ambition, urging all sons and daughters of Ijaw land to rally behind the new INC leadership in building a stronger and more prosperous future for the nation.