Breaking: Ijaws Rallies at INEC Headquarters, Applauds Transparent Ward Delineation

In a rare show of appreciation in Nigeria's often contentious political climate, members of the Ijaw community from Warri Federal Constituency staged a peaceful demonstration at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters in Abuja to thank the Commission for what they described as a fair and just ward delineation exercise.

The demonstrators, who traveled from Delta State to the nation’s capital, gathered in front of the INEC building bearing placards and chanting messages of gratitude. They hailed the electoral body for upholding transparency, fairness, and the rule of law, following a recent Supreme Court judgment that ordered a fresh delineation of electoral wards.

“This is not a protest—this is appreciation,” said one of the Ijaw representatives. “We are here to commend INEC for listening to our voices and ensuring that justice is done in the ward delineation process.”

The newly concluded ward arrangement has been widely welcomed by the Ijaw people, who say it reflects the true demographic realities on the ground—correcting what they described as years of marginalization in previous arrangements.

Historically, the Ijaw communities in the Warri region have raised concerns about being underrepresented in electoral structures. The peaceful rally, held in a calm and orderly manner, marks a turning point, showcasing the Ijaw people's commitment to peaceful advocacy and democratic engagement.

Organizers emphasized that the rally was not politically motivated but a gesture of goodwill, reinforcing their support for a transparent electoral process and encouraging INEC to sustain its impartial stance.

“We hope this sets an example for how civic engagement should look,” another demonstrator said. “INEC has shown that it can be a neutral umpire, and we stand here today to say thank you.”

The Ijaw community’s demonstration concluded without incident, leaving behind a powerful message: gratitude can be just as loud as protest, and justice, when served, deserves public recognition.