The House of Representatives has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore what it referred to as the 12 suppressed constituencies in Kogi State.
This decision came after a motion was presented and adopted by lawmakers on Wednesday, led by the Kogi House caucus.
Idris Salman, representing the Ijumu/Kabba-Bunnu Federal Constituency, who led the motion, referenced the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that a state House of Assembly should have three or four times the number of seats it holds in the House of Representatives, ensuring that the allocation reflects equal population distribution.
Salman also pointed to Section 114(1), which calls for a periodic review of state constituencies every 10 years, with adjustments where necessary.
“In the 1991 gubernatorial and state Assembly elections held on December 14, Kogi State had 32 constituencies where elections were conducted, and winners were declared,” Salman explained.
He added, “Kogi State, with nine seats in the House of Representatives, should have at least 27 or 36 seats in the State House of Assembly, as outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Salman expressed concern that the last review of state constituencies in Kogi had disadvantaged the state.
“The last review of state constituencies in Nigeria by INEC occurred in 1998, which led to the suppression of certain constituencies in the Kogi State House of Assembly,” he said.
“From 1998 to the present, INEC has continued to suppress constituencies such as Kabba-Bunu II, Ijumu II, Koton Karfe I, Yagba West II, Adavi II, Iffe/Ogodu, Igala Ogba, Okura, Enjema, Dekina Town, Olamaboro II, and Bassa-Nge/Gbirra.”
He further argued that restoring the suppressed constituencies would enhance the quality of representation, promote grassroots development, and strengthen democracy in Kogi State.
After adopting the motion, the House called on INEC to restore the constituencies and directed its Committee on Electoral Matters to engage with INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and report back within four weeks.
In a related matter, the House also urged INEC to urgently restore the Sapele II State Assembly Constituency in Delta State, in line with a Federal High Court judgment and constitutional requirements.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Benedict Etanabene, representing the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State.
