BREAKING NEWS: FIRST VICTORY FOR IJAW AND BINI COMMUNITIES AS INEC BEGINS PROCESSING DOCUMENTS FOR FRESH WARD DELINEATION IN THREE EDO LGAs
By Pinaiba Bolouere Firstlady
BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — In what has been described as an encouraging development in the push for fresh ward delineation, Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi has disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has contacted him following his latest Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking documents to advance his case for the delineation of wards in Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas of Edo State.
Dr. Agbedeyi disclosed the development to a staff correspondent of GlobalegberiTV Ofunama on Thursday, October 22, 2026, saying INEC reached out to him only a few hours after he submitted what he described as a final notice requesting specific documents relevant to his ward delineation campaign.
According to him, he received a telephone call from the Commission and a WhatsApp message in which INEC reportedly appealed for patience, explaining that efforts were already underway to prepare the requested documents for release.
The documents, Dr. Agbedeyi said, are expected to assist him in pursuing his case for fresh ward delineation in the three local government areas.
INEC Requests Payment for Photocopying
Dr. Agbedeyi further disclosed that INEC informed him that he would be required to bear the cost of photocopying some of the documents that would be provided in hard-copy format.
He said he had agreed to pay the required photocopying expenses to facilitate access to the records and enable him to proceed with the next steps in his pursuit of fresh ward delineation.
The development represents a potentially significant step in his efforts to obtain official records relevant to the matter. However, the Commission’s reported commitment to prepare the documents should not yet be interpreted as formal approval of a new ward delineation exercise.
A Continuing Push for Ward Delineation
The demand for fresh ward delineation in Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East and Ikpoba-Okha has been presented by Dr. Agbedeyi as an important issue for communities seeking what they consider fairer electoral representation.
For affected Ijaw and Bini communities, the issue touches on representation, electoral participation and the distribution of political voice within the local government areas.
By pursuing the matter through a Freedom of Information request, Dr. Agbedeyi is seeking access to official documents that could help establish the basis for his case and determine the appropriate steps towards a possible delineation process.
The latest communication from INEC, as recounted by Dr. Agbedeyi, suggests that the request is receiving administrative attention. The contents of the documents, however, will be important in determining the direction and strength of the next phase of the campaign.
What Happens Next?
Attention is now expected to focus on when INEC will make the requested documents available and what information they contain concerning the existing ward structure in the three local government areas.
Dr. Agbedeyi’s acceptance of the photocopying costs indicates his readiness to continue pursuing the matter through the documentary process.
While the development has been welcomed by supporters as an encouraging step for Ijaw and Bini communities, the ultimate outcome will depend on the contents of the records, the applicable electoral and legal procedures, and any subsequent action by the relevant authorities.
For now, the immediate development is INEC’s reported communication with Dr. Agbedeyi and its indication that preparations are underway to make the requested documents available.
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