- Suspected thugs attacked Itsekiri protesters at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
- Protesters opposed alleged unfair Warri Federal Constituency delineation by INEC.
- INEC said the matter has been reported to Nuhu Ribadu.
Pandemonium erupted on Monday at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja after suspected thugs attacked Itsekiri youths protesting over the delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- LASG Funds 80 Researchers, 75 Startups With N900m
- NLC, TUC Raise Alarm Over Workers’ Rights Violations In Nigeria
- Alex Ekubo’s Family Confirms Actor Died Of Advanced Kidney Cancer
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the protesters, estimated to be about 200, had gathered at the commission’s headquarters under the platform of Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youths to demand what they described as justice over the alleged unfair delineation of the constituency.
The demonstrators carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “INEC must protect indigenous communities,” “Warri Federal Constituency is not for sale,” “Justice for Itsekiri Communities Now,” and “Dollars Cannot Buy Our Land.”
Trouble, however, started after suspected thugs reportedly stormed the protest venue armed with sticks and other objects.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers disrupted the peaceful gathering, destroyed placards and chased protesters around the area, causing panic among people within the commission’s premises.
The development also forced journalists and an INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Zuru, to temporarily retreat from the scene during the chaos.
Normalcy was later restored after security intervention.
Addressing the protesters afterward, Zuru assured them that the matter surrounding the Warri Federal Constituency delineation had already been escalated to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for necessary attention.
Leaders of the Itsekiri group insisted they would continue pushing for what they described as fairness and justice from INEC and the Federal Government.
Among those who spoke were the Legal Adviser of Itsekiri Youths Worldwide, Solomon Ogholaja, National Secretary, Laura Oritseweyinmi, and Secretary-General, Jakpah Jolomi.
The group maintained that it would not back down in its demand for what it called a fair delineation process in Warri Federal Constituency.
FURTHER READING
- Oshiomhole – Atiku Now APC’s ‘Best Campaigner’
- Presidential Air Fleet Maintenance Gulps ₦4.24bn In Six Months, Reports Says
- Nigeria, Germany Finalise New Bilateral Cooperation Framework
