Group Rejects INEC’s New Polling Units In Warri

The Children of Drives and Fishermen Association (CODAFA) has rejected the recent proposal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for new wards, polling units, state constituencies, and an additional federal constituency in Warri Federal Constituency, describing the exercise as fraudulent and misleading.

The group made its position known in a press release signed by its President, Mr. Romeo Diden, and Secretary, Mr. Blessing Okotie, and made available to journalists in Warri.

CODAFA said the stakeholders’ meeting held at the INEC Secretariat in Asaba, Delta State, which led to the delineation proposal, could not be justified in any society governed by fairness, justice and the rule of law.

The association therefore rejected the entire exercise in its entirety.

Diden said the exercise was conducted pursuant to the Supreme Court judgment in Hon. George Timinimi & Ors v. INEC (SC. 413/2016), noting that while the group did not oppose the court ruling, the implementation was flawed.

He alleged that the new proposal contains misrepresentations and inconsistencies, insisting that it perpetuates what he described as long-standing irregularities.

“After careful review, we have decided to decline this proposal. Our due diligence identified material misrepresentations and inconsistencies in the proposal provided because the proposal relies on statements we have determined to be fraudulent, and therefore reject it because we take matters of integrity and legal compliance seriously,” he said.

Diden further argued that although the Supreme Court ordered a delineation, it did not authorise any process that is “tainted with fraud or corruption.”

He maintained that the exercise was carried out without neutrality, fairness or justice, making it unacceptable to the affected community.

The group also warned that it would not accept any further attempt to implement the proposed delineation, insisting that it violates both legal and procedural standards.