IPC BLOWS HOT, VOWS TO CHALLENGE INEC’S ILLEGALITIES IN WARRI SOUTH LGA
The Itsekiri Progress Club(IPC), a foremost Itsekiri Independent calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to implement the judgement of a federal High court in suit No: FHC/B/109/97 which ordered it to revert to the original ten ward structures in Warri south local government area. As a sociopolitical group we are strongly worried about recent developments in Warri kingdom especially the proposed ward delineation of Warri South LGA following the recent judgement by the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering INEC to carryout fresh ward delineations in the three Warris. While the club is not against the ruling but rather questioned INEC selective implementation of court judgements.
It is pertinent for the records and unbiased minds to comprehend the provenance of the argument by the Itsekiri Progress Club (IPC). Warri South LGA area has always been 10 wards structure before the unlawful delineation of the wards from ten(10) to twelve(12). The Itsekiri people of Warri Kingdom being law abiding citizens of the country challenged the illegality of INEC in the LGA and the Federal High Court ruled that, the commission does not have the powers to undertake such delineations because it was at variance with conditions precedent to ward delineations as stated in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Independent Electoral Commission not satisfied with the judgement, filed an appeal which they lost. The first judgement was over twenty two(22) years while the Appeal Court ruling was over ten(10) years ago. All attempts to compel INEC to enforce the previous judgements have proved elusive for surreptitious undercurrents. Meanwhile, judgement that was barely a year ago, INEC has almost concluded plans to commence delineation of wards in Warri Federal Constituency. The critical question to INEC, which ward structure is INEC using for the delineation, the authentic 10 wards or the illegal 12 wards?
The leadership of the group is irked by the selective implementation of court judgements in Warri South LGA which is an attempt to politically decapitate and or displace the Itsekiri people from their aboriginal homeland. IPC condemns in strong terms this devilish act from the Independent Electoral Commission(INEC) under the Chairmanship of Prof Madmood Yakubu. The commission and all its activities are products of law, why the blatant refusal to obey court judgements. Similarly, we the aforementioned body will challenge this dubious act of INEC on the Itsekiri people of Warri South LGA. The illegality will not stand and wish to warn INEC that we cannot guarantee the reaction of our people because of the proposed selective implementation of Court judgement.
Therefore, the Itsekiri Progress Club(IPC) calls on the truly Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) not to allow any ethnic group (s) hoodwinks them into making pivotal blunders that could terminate the relative peace enjoyed in the oil city of Warri after the ill fated Warri crisis.
Signed. Dr Tosan Popo President.
Chief Solomon Arenyeka. Publicity Secretary.
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