Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has yet to take a final decision on the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency, as ordered by the Supreme Court.
The commission made the clarification in a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Olumekun appealed to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area.
He said that INEC’s attention had been drawn to misleading narratives about the proposed delineation of wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West federal constituency, as ordered by the Supreme Court.
“Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of wards in the Warri federal constituency,” he said.
Mr Olumekun urged representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their observations on the draft report which would serve as the basis for further engagements on the matter.
He also appealed to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area.
The national commissioner said that the commission would continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.
He recalled that following the Supreme Court judgment delivered on Dec. 2, 2022, INEC had embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024, involving all the critical stakeholders.
This, he said, was followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three local government areas, culminating in the production of a draft report.
Mr Olumekun said that the commission held further consultations with stakeholders in Warri on April 4, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue.
He said that the purpose was to give the stakeholders the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have.
The national commissioner further stated that the overall objective was to arrive at an agreement by all the parties involved.
NAN
