Senate Directs INEC to Restore Three Benue Constituencies Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Senate has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately restore three state constituencies in Benue State—Ukum II (Afia), Konshisha II (Shangev-Tiev), and Gboko East I—ahead of the 2027 general elections, in compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment.
The directive followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende. He drew attention to the Court of Appeal ruling delivered in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on December 5, 2025, which has yet to be implemented by INEC.
Senator Udende reminded his colleagues that the court granted all reliefs sought, including an order directing INEC to conduct elections in the affected constituencies during the 2027 general elections without fail.
INEC, as provided under Section 153(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is constitutionally mandated to organize, undertake, and supervise elections into elective offices. The Senate noted that Section 91 of the Constitution prescribes the minimum and maximum number of seats in state Houses of Assembly, while Section 112 mandates INEC to divide each state into constituencies corresponding to the number of seats.
Udende further explained that INEC is responsible for ensuring equitable population distribution across constituencies. He added that Section 113 requires periodic review of constituency delineation at intervals of not less than 10 years, while Section 114 empowers the commission to revise boundaries in line with constitutional provisions.
The lawmaker also referenced the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), which reinforces INEC’s mandate and provides guidelines for electoral administration, including constituency delineation.
The Senate stressed that restoring the constituencies would correct a long-standing anomaly and uphold the constitutional rights of the affected communities to fair representation.
According to Udende, the constituencies existed and functioned during the Second and Third Republics, providing direct legislative representation before their removal in the Fourth Republic without sufficient constitutional justification.
He argued that their removal led to democratic exclusion, population imbalance, and under-representation of distinct communities in Benue State. He also noted that the Afia and Shangev-Tiev communities have unique demographic, cultural, and economic identities and have contributed significantly to the development of the state and the country.
The Senate warned that failure by INEC to implement the court’s judgment could undermine constitutional order, weaken public confidence in democratic institutions, and affect electoral credibility.
It therefore urged INEC to urgently update electoral boundaries, voter registers, administrative structures, and election plans to reflect the restored constituencies ahead of 2027.
The upper chamber also mandated its Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters to engage the commission, demand a clear implementation timeline, and report back on compliance.
Additionally, the Senate called on the National Assembly and the Executive to provide INEC with adequate funding and technical support to facilitate the restoration and conduct elections in the affected constituencies.
The Senate further sought concurrence from the House of Representatives on the resolution.
