Table of Contents
- Call to Action
- Motion Raised
- Constitutional Requirements
- Historical Context
- Legal Justifications
- Conclusion
The Kogi State House of Assembly has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reinstate 12 state constituencies that were removed over twenty years ago to ensure equitable representation for the citizens.
This appeal came after a motion was presented on the floor of the House by Hon. Seyi Bello, who represents the Kabba/Bunu Constituency. He clarified that the 1999 Constitution empowers INEC to perform constituency delimitation to guarantee fair population distribution across constituencies.
He pointed out that Section 91 of the Constitution explicitly states that each state must have between three and four times the number of its federal constituencies represented in the state assembly. With Kogi having nine federal constituencies, the state should ideally have between 27 and 36 assembly seats.
“Currently, Kogi State has only 25 constituencies, which is below the constitutional minimum,” he stated.
Hon. Bello recalled that when Kogi State was established in 1991, the First Assembly functioned with 32 constituencies. However, after a delimitation exercise by INEC in 1998, 12 constituencies were suppressed. These include Kabba-Bunu II, Ijumu II, Koton Karfe I, Yagba West II, Adavi II, Ife/Ogodu, Igala Ogba, Okura, Enjema, Dekina Town, Olamaboro II, and Bassa-Nge/Gbirra.
He characterized their removal as a significant infringement on the rights of the affected communities and highlighted two court cases advocating for their restoration. One was initiated by the Kogi State Government in 2014, resulting in a 2015 Federal High Court ruling that mandated INEC to restore six constituencies in Kogi East. The other was brought by Omoluabi Olabode Adeyemi, seeking the reinstatement of Kabba-Bunu II.
The lawmaker also reminded the House that on March 19, 2025, the House of Representatives passed a resolution instructing INEC to restore all suppressed constituencies in Kogi and Delta States.
Hon. Bello emphasized that the delay in executing these judgments and resolutions has deprived thousands of citizens of their right to full and fair representation. He added that the failure to conduct the necessary delimitation exercise has hindered development and weakened democracy in the affected regions for over two decades.
The House has called on INEC to promptly adhere to the Constitution and restore the suppressed constituencies without any further delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the 12 constituencies removed in Kogi State?
The 12 constituencies were suppressed following a delimitation exercise conducted by INEC in 1998, which reduced the number of constituencies from 32 to 25.
What legal actions have been taken regarding the suppressed constituencies?
There have been two significant court cases: one filed by the Kogi State Government in 2014, which resulted in a ruling for the restoration of six constituencies, and another by Omoluabi Olabode Adeyemi seeking to reinstate Kabba-Bunu II.
What impact has the suppression of constituencies had on Kogi State?
The suppression has denied citizens their right to fair representation, hindered development, and weakened democracy in the affected areas for over twenty years.
