Ijaw leaders in Warri South Local Government Area have praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for concluding the Supreme Court-ordered delineation exercise despite opposition and legal disputes.
Speaking during a press conference in Ogbe-Ijoh, the leaders described the final report released on May 20, 2026, as a balanced outcome that reflected realities on the ground.
They said the exercise validated the electoral identity of Ijaw communities and strengthened efforts toward achieving equitable representation within Warri South.
The group dismissed criticisms surrounding the exercise, insisting that historical records, electoral data and field assessments confirmed the presence of Ijaw communities within the local government area.
According to the leaders, INEC officials assigned to field operations physically covered Ijaw settlements during the delineation process, further validating their inclusion.
They also applauded the electoral commission for what they described as professionalism and fairness in managing competing interests during the exercise.
The Ijaw stakeholders, however, maintained that further reforms, including additional electoral wards and stronger representation structures, remained necessary to fully address longstanding concerns over political inclusion.
