REPS DIRECT INEC TO REINSTATE SUPPRESSED STATE CONSTITUENCIES IN ADO, OKPOKWU, OGBADIBO LGAS OF BENUE
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently reinstate suppressed state constituencies in Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The resolution followed a motion presented by Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.
The motion, which was seconded by Kelechi Nwogu, representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State, also directed INEC to conduct elections into the restored constituencies during the 2027 general elections.
While presenting the motion, Agbese explained that each of the three LGAs previously had two separate state constituencies before INEC suspended three of the six constituencies during delimitation exercises.
He recalled that Ado had Ado State Constituencies I and II, Okpokwu had Okpokwu I and II, while Ogbadibo had Ogbadibo and Otukpa State Constituencies in the Benue State House of Assembly. According to him, the arrangement reflected the areas’ large population, landmass, wards, and cultural identities as major Idoma-speaking communities.
Agbese lamented that the reduction to one constituency per LGA had resulted in inadequate representation, limited access to development projects and resources, and growing marginalisation of residents despite the developmental needs of the areas.
He argued that the current arrangement contradicts the principles of fairness, equity, and federalism, adding that it has fueled agitation among constituents. He also referenced previous resolutions of the House concerning similar constituency restoration cases in Ukum II, Gboko, and Nyamatsor in Benue State.
The lawmaker maintained that restoring two constituencies to each of the three LGAs, bringing the total back to six as it previously existed, would address the imbalance and strengthen democratic representation in the state.
Following deliberations, the House unanimously called on INEC to restore Ado II, Okpokwu II, and Otukpa State Constituency in Ogbadibo LGA, and directed the commission to begin preparations for elections into the constituencies in 2027.
To ensure implementation, the House, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, mandated its Committee on INEC to engage with the electoral body, the Benue State Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the immediate restoration and operationalisation of the constituencies.
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