Delta Lawmakers Challenge INEC Over Warri Ward Changes

Delta State lawmakers Austin Uroye and Benson Obire have raised concerns regarding changes made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the ward structure in Warri South Local Government Area ahead of the 2027 general elections. During a stakeholders’ engagement in Asaba, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, warned against violence, vote-buying, and the spread of fake election results.

Uroye and Obire alleged that INEC increased the number of wards to 20 after political parties had already conducted their primaries, leading to confusion as polling unit coordinates no longer aligned with the new arrangement. Uroye questioned how elections could be organized under these circumstances and emphasized the need for stakeholder consultation before implementing such changes.

Obire supported Uroye's position, stating that the changes undermined the credibility of the electoral process, as candidates had already been cleared based on the previous ward structure.