The House calls on the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to restore what is described by the 12 suppressed constituencies in Kogi State.
The decision follows a motion filed on Wednesday by the Kogi House caucus.
Leadership motion, Idris Salman, who represents the federal constituency of Ijumu/Kabba-Bunnu, cited the 1999 Constitution (amended), noting that the state capitol should include three to four times the number of seats it owns in the House of Representatives, whose allocation reflects an equal distribution of population.
He also mentioned Section 114 (1), which provides for periodic review of state constituencies every 10 years and adjustments as needed.
“In the governor and state assembly elections held on December 14, 1991, 32 state constituencies in Kogi State held elections and announced elections,” Salman said.
He added: “Kogi State, which has nine seats in the House of Representatives, should have at least 27 or 36 parliamentary seats as stipulated in the 1999 (Amendment) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Salman gave Kogi a final review of state voters, which made the state regret.
“In 1998, INEC conducted a final review of Nigeria’s state constituencies, which led to the suppression of certain constituencies in the Kogi State Capitol seats,” he said.
“From 1998 to date, inec has continued to suppress the Kogi state house of assembly seats in constituentcies such as Kabba-Bunu II, II, Kotoon Karfe II, yagba West II, Adavi II, Ifffe/Ogodu, Igala Okura, Okura, Enjema, Dekinna Town, Olamaboro II and Bassa-nge/Gbirra.”
He further argued: “In Kogi State, restoring suppressed constituencies will further deepen our democracy by representing and grassroots development with quality and promoting equality.”
After adopting the motion, the House urged INEC to resume the constituency and directed its Election Affairs Committee to interact with INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu and report within four weeks.
In related developments, the House also called on INEC to urgently restore the Sapele II state parliamentary constituency in the Delta State in accordance with the decisions and constitutional provisions of the Federal High Court.
The resolution was sponsored by Benedict Etanabene, who represents the OKPE/SAPELE/UVWIE federal constituency in the Delta State.
