The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), a coalition of over 130 Pan-Yoruba groups, has strongly criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its proposed ward delineation affecting Itsekiri communities. In a press briefing held in Lagos, spokesperson Mr. Poopola Ajayi described the restructuring as unjust and politically motivated, accusing INEC of acting against the legal interests of the Itsekiri people.
The coalition called on President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to urgently step in and uphold fairness in the electoral process. They also urged anti-corruption agencies, including the DSS, EFCC, and ICPC to investigate Professor Rhoda Gumus and other INEC officials allegedly involved in what the groups labeled as “electoral fraud.”
The AYDM argued that INEC’s ward adjustments ignored Supreme Court rulings in favor of the Itsekiri that span five decades. They demanded a public explanation from INEC Chairman Professor Mahmoud Yakubu regarding why Itsekiri areas appear to be shrinking while regions dominated by the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups have expanded significantly.
They further demanded the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to review INEC’s delineation practices in the Warri Federal Constituency. According to the coalition, several Itsekiri wards were merged into one, while areas with lower voter registration in Ijaw and Urhobo communities received additional wards.
The groups questioned whether INEC has the legal authority to rename or create communities and select which court judgments to honor. They called for a return to the original 13-ward structure of the defunct Warri Local Government Area as the basis for any future delineation efforts in Warri Federal Constituency.
The AYDM also requested that the Nigerian Judicial Commission investigate the Supreme Court justices involved in the controversial judgment, and urged the Legal Aid Council to probe INEC’s legal department over its role in the issue.
In a final demand, they asked the presidency to revoke all pipeline security contracts awarded to Tantita Security Services Ltd, citing its ownership by Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, whom they described as an adversary to the Itsekiri people. They recommended reassigning the contracts to capable Itsekiri stakeholders.
To pursue these demands, the AYDM announced that a 37-member committee representing Yoruba-speaking regions across the country has been mandated to engage with key political and community leaders to ensure their concerns are addressed.
