Efforts by former Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, to stop the ongoing delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were on Wednesday overruled on the floor of the Senate.
The move was firmly resisted by Delta lawmakers, Senators Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South) and Ede Dafinone (Delta Central), who insisted that INEC’s constitutional independence must be respected and noted that the issue was already before a competent court of law.
Rising in strong objection to Lalong’s motion, Senator Joel-Onowakpo reminded the chamber that the 1999 Constitution explicitly empowers INEC to conduct constituency delineation without legislative interference.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, this motion directly affects my constituency, Delta South Senatorial District, and I am well acquainted with the matter,” he said. “Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution empowers INEC to carry out such delineation exercises independently.”
He further cited Section 158 and Part I of the Third Schedule of the Constitution, stressing that INEC’s autonomy must not be compromised by any legislative action.
“Ordinarily, this is not a matter for the National Assembly. If anyone is aggrieved, the proper avenue is the court,” Joel-Onowakpo maintained.
He informed the Senate that the delineation issue was already being litigated at the Federal High Court in Warri, in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/372/25, where some individuals had challenged INEC’s process.
“I therefore urge that we allow the court to handle the matter and let due process take its course,” he concluded.
Supporting his colleague, Senator Ede Dafinone of Delta Central echoed the call for restraint, warning that legislative interference could undermine public trust in both INEC and the National Assembly.
“The delineation of constituencies by INEC is a constitutional responsibility aimed at ensuring equity and fair representation,” Dafinone stated. “Any attempt by the Senate to investigate or suspend the process risks eroding confidence in INEC’s neutrality and the Senate’s credibility.”
He recalled that the issue had lingered for over 12 years, with multiple court judgments affirming INEC’s authority to continue with the delineation exercise.
“The courts have consistently ruled in INEC’s favour. Every effort to halt the release of the delineation report has failed — even a subsequent suit at the Abuja High Court was dismissed,” he added. “We should not perpetuate a cycle of obstruction.”
Following their interventions, several senators cautioned against any action that could contravene constitutional provisions or interfere with judicial and electoral boundaries.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter and urged senators to tread carefully. He directed that any further deliberation must consider the constitutional and judicial implications already highlighted.
The debate, which drew robust contributions from lawmakers, effectively scuttled attempts to compel the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters to investigate or suspend INEC’s delineation process in Warri.
With the strong opposition from Senators Joel-Onowakpo and Dafinone, the Senate deferred action on the motion — reaffirming INEC’s constitutional independence and the supremacy of the rule of law in ongoing constituency boundary adjustments in Delta State.
