KEY POINTS

• Reps call on INEC to restore suppressed constituencies in Kogi and Delta states.
• Kogi State has faced issues with marginalized constituencies since the 1998 review.
• Sapele II State Assembly Constituency in Delta State is also set for restoration.

The House of Representatives has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore 12 suppressed constituencies in Kogi State and Sapele II State Assembly Constituency in Delta State.

This decision followed a motion raised by the Kogi House caucus, which was considered and adopted by lawmakers in plenary on Wednesday.

The motion highlighted concerns over the suppressed constituencies, which were believed to have been affected by an incomplete constituency review by INEC.

Idris Salman, the representative for Ijumu/Kabba-Bunnu Federal Constituency, explained that the 1999 Constitution mandates periodic reviews of state constituencies, with a minimum interval of 10 years.

According to Punch, he noted that Kogi State, which holds nine seats in the House of Representatives, is constitutionally required to have at least 27 or 36 House of Assembly seats.

However, the state has not received a full representation, particularly after the last review in 1998, which saw several constituencies suppressed.

Salman lamented that constituencies such as Kabba-Bunu II, Ijumu II, Yagba West II, and others had been marginalized over the years.

He stressed that restoring these constituencies would promote equality and enhance democracy in Kogi State by ensuring quality representation and better grassroots development.

INEC urged to act swiftly on Kogi and Delta constituencies

Following the adoption of the motion, the House of Representatives directed its Committee on Electoral Matters to meet with INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, within four weeks to report on the restoration of the constituencies.

A similar motion was also adopted for the restoration of Sapele II State Assembly Constituency in Delta State, in line with a Federal High Court ruling that mandated compliance with constitutional provisions.

Benedict Etanabene, the representative for Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, sponsored the motion and emphasized the importance of adhering to judicial rulings and ensuring fair representation for all states.

Lawmakers push for a more equitable electoral process

The call for the restoration of constituencies in Kogi and Delta States reflects broader concerns among lawmakers about the need for equitable representation in the country’s electoral system.

With the Reps call for INEC involvement in the matter, elections and constituency allocations are expected to undergo scrutiny to align with constitutional mandates.

This is also as lawmakers push for a more transparent process to avoid future discrepancies.