The House of Representatives has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore what it termed the 12 suppressed constituencies in Kogi State. This resolution was made after the Kogi House caucus brought a motion before the lawmakers on Wednesday.
Leading the motion, Idris Salman, who represents the Ijumu/Kabba-Bunnu Federal Constituency, referenced the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that a state House of Assembly should have three or four times the number of seats in the House of Representatives, with a population-based allocation. He also cited Section 114(1), which requires a periodic review of state constituencies every 10 years, with necessary adjustments.
Salman noted that during the gubernatorial and state assembly elections of December 14, 1991, Kogi State had 32 state constituencies, all of which were contested and winners declared. He emphasized that, based on its nine seats in the House of Representatives, Kogi State should have at least 27 or 36 House of Assembly seats, in line with constitutional provisions.
He further lamented that the last review of state constituencies by INEC, conducted in 1998, led to the suppression of several constituencies in the Kogi State House of Assembly. The affected constituencies include 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.
Salman argued that restoring these constituencies would strengthen democracy by ensuring better representation, fostering grassroots development, and promoting equality.
Following the motion’s adoption, the House called on INEC to restore the suppressed constituencies and instructed 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 promptly restore the Sapele II State Assembly Constituency in Delta State, in line with a Federal High Court ruling and constitutional requirements. This resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Benedict Etanabene, who represents the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State.