Protesters storm Delta INEC office over alleged irregularities in Warri delineation

Two Delta State lawmakers have criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding alleged changes to the ward structure in the Warri South Local Government Area. According to Punch and Punch Nigeria, these lawmakers warned that the alterations could disrupt the 2027 elections.

Daily Post Nigeria reports that over 200 Urhobo and Itsekiri residents protested at the INEC office in Asaba over alleged irregularities in the delineation of electoral wards. The protesters accused the commission of introducing unfamiliar wards, questionable polling units, and fictitious names into the local government area's electoral structure.

They argued that the exercise could undermine the political representation of their communities and called for corrections to ensure the structure reflects the interests and ancestral settlements of the different ethnic groups.

During the protest, an Itsekiri leader named Samuel Meyiwa stated that the community had previously sought a political solution through meetings involving stakeholders at the office of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. Meyiwa alleged that unfamiliar names and addresses were introduced into electoral records, questioning how individuals without verifiable ancestral homes or identifiable connections to the communities could be recognized as residents of Warri South.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Punch Nigeria, Daily Post Nigeria — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.