By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it is working with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to resolve lingering ward and polling unit delineation issues in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State.
INEC disclosed this on Tuesday, noting that the long-running boundary dispute has continued to hamper effective electoral planning and local administration in the oil-rich area.
According to the commission, repeated attempts to complete the delineation exercise in Warri have been frustrated by community tensions and security concerns, prompting the intervention of the NSA to help broker peace and provide a safe environment for the process to move forward.
“The involvement of the Office of the National Security Adviser is aimed at addressing the security and stakeholder challenges that have stalled the exercise,” INEC said in a statement. “Our goal is to ensure a transparent and inclusive delineation process acceptable to all parties.”
The Warri Federal Constituency, comprising Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local government areas, has for years been plagued by disputes over electoral boundaries, with rival communities contesting ward and polling unit allocations.
The unresolved matter has sparked protests in the past and raised concerns about voter disenfranchisement ahead of future elections.
INEC reiterated its commitment to completing the delineation in line with constitutional provisions, stressing that accurate ward and polling unit mapping is critical to credible elections.
Local stakeholders have welcomed the federal government’s intervention, expressing hope that Ribadu’s involvement will finally pave the way for a lasting resolution and restore confidence in the electoral process in the region.
