…INEC officials walk out amid sharp criticism over Warri constituency dispute
…Harriman to INEC: Respect the law, restore public trust
LAGOS, Nigeria — Former lawmaker and legal practitioner, Hon. (Barr.) Temi Harriman, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process by adhering strictly to the legal framework governing its operations.
Harriman, who represented Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the call over the weekend at the public presentation of a new book titled “INEC Corrupt Practices: The Siamese Twins and Warri Federal Constituency.” The book, co-authored by Chief Robinson Ariyo, Esq., and Jolone Ikomi, Esq., was launched at the Imperial Banquet Hall, The Lilygate Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.
The event attracted an audience of legal luminaries, academics, civil society actors, political stakeholders, and representatives of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), underscoring the growing concern over electoral fairness and representation in the Warri region.
Harriman, delivering a keynote address, urged INEC to revisit the contentious issue of ward and polling unit re-delineation in Warri South Local Government Area, describing legal compliance as the only path to restoring confidence in the commission.
“INEC has been instructed by the courts to revisit this issue,” she stated. “This is not just about a single judgment. The root causes must be addressed systematically, starting from the ground up. Nigeria is not a jungle — our institutions must respect the law.”
She described the newly released book as “a masterpiece and a must-read for all stakeholders,” adding that her early exposure to the Willinks Commission Report, courtesy of her late father, Chief Ogedegbe Harriman, shaped her understanding of the concerns of Nigeria’s micro-minorities.
Harriman also admonished INEC to abandon what she termed “face-saving” tactics, encouraging the commission to seize the opportunity to correct historical errors and rebuild public trust.
“This is a time for courage, not cover-ups,” she added, commending the Warri Reclamation Thrust for its persistent advocacy.
Ariyo Accuses INEC of Ignoring Court Orders
In his remarks, co-author and Warri Kingdom spokesperson (Egogo), Chief Robinson Ariyo, alleged that INEC has for decades failed to comply with a 1997 interlocutory court order restraining it from creating 12 new wards in Warri South LGA. He argued that the commission’s continued disregard for the ruling constitutes a fundamental breach of the rule of law.
Ariyo, a legal practitioner and development advocate, claimed that INEC’s “complacency” may have been influenced by powerful interests, suggesting the book provides a well-documented exposé of alleged institutional failures.
While acknowledging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited the dispute, he praised the administration’s ongoing engagement with the issue, particularly as it concerns the Itsekiri ethnic group.
Underrepresentation of Itsekiri in Focus
Bright Omaghomi, co-convener of the Warri Reclamation Thrust, decried the political underrepresentation of the Itsekiri people in Delta South. He noted that the group currently lacks a senator and has only one representative in the legislature, making it difficult to advance critical legislative issues affecting the community.
“Among the Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri, only the Itsekiri lack proper representation at the federal level. That cannot continue,” he said.
Walkout by INEC Officials
The event was not without drama. Tensions rose when pointed allegations were made against INEC, prompting some of the commission’s officials in attendance to reportedly walk out of the venue.
The Warri Federal Constituency — comprising the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities — has been the epicenter of an enduring political and administrative struggle, particularly around ward delineation and perceived ethnic imbalance.
Dignitaries at the launch included Engr. Gabriel Arubi, Chief Wilbert Benson, Dr. Misan Afinotan, and several leading voices from the legal, academic, and political communities.
