By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
There is a high apprehension in the political atmosphere in Warri North and Warri South West local government areas as a Federal High Court sitting in Warri to determine a Suit seeking to cancel the 2023 General Elections into the Warri Federal Constituency – Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State. Chief Monday Keme who dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Court in Suit No FHC/WR/CS/33/2023 is seeking a declaration that by the judgement of Appeal No: SC/413/2016 between Hon. George U. Timinimi & 9 others V the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dated 2nd December 2022, the conduct of election in 2023 into the Warri Federal Constituency – Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas by the defendant (INEC) without a fresh delineation of Electoral Wards/Polling Units is illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
An ORDER setting aside the purported election conducted into the Warri Federal Constituency by the defendant (INEC) in 2023 without fresh delineation of Electoral Wards/Polling Units. And other reliefs.
The case, if decided in favour of the claimant means that Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Representing Warri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, the current Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, RT. (Hon.) Emomotimi Denis Guwor Representing Warri South West Constituency, Hon. Augustine Uroye Representing Warri South Constituency 1, Hon. Paul Obire Representing Warri South Constituency 2 and Hon. Martins Okorodudu Representing Warri North Constituency will all lost their seats. The case will also affect the forth coming Local Government election in the three (3) Warri Local Government Areas because one of the reliefs specifically seek the Court to grant order stopping further conduct of elections in the three (3) Local Government Areas without fresh delineation of Electoral Wards and Polling Units.
In December 2022, the Supreme Court in Appeal No SC/413/2016 Hon. George U Timinimi and 9 others ORDERED the Independent National Electoral Commission to carry out fresh delineation of Electoral Wards and Polling Units in the three Warri Local Government Areas for the purpose of future elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission was alleged to have violated the said Supreme Court judgement and went ahead to conduct elections into the House of Representatives and the Four (4) State Constituencies without fresh delineation as ordered.
