Reps Direct INEC to restore suppressed state constituencies in Ado, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo LGAs of Benue

The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently restore suppressed State Constituencies in Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas of Benue State.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Philip Agbese.

The motion, which was seconded by Kelechi Nwogu, representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency of Rivers State, also urged INEC to conduct elections into the affected constituencies in 2027 after their restoration.

Leading the debate, Agbese reminded the House that each of the three LGAs previously had two distinct State Constituencies before INEC suspended three of the six constituencies.

He said:

“Historically, prior to certain delimitation exercises in the Fourth Republic, each of Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas in Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency had two distinct State Constituencies, specifically known as Ado State Constituency I & II; Ogbadibo and Otukpa State Constituencies; and Okpokwu State Constituency I & II in the Benue State House of Assembly. These reflected their significant landmass, population, number of wards, cultural, and administrative identities as key Idoma-speaking communities.

“Subsequent delimitation and suppression exercises by INEC reduced the representation of these Local Government Areas, leaving each LGA with only one State Constituency. This has forced large populations and vast territories to be represented by a single member in the Benue State House of Assembly.”

Agbese, who is also the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, argued that the suppression of the constituencies had negatively affected the people through poor representation, inadequate legislative voice, inequitable access to development projects, limited state attention, and overall marginalization.

He added that the current arrangement contradicts the principles of federalism, justice, equity, and fair representation, while noting that similar resolutions had previously been passed in favour of Ukum II, Gboko, and Nyamatsor State Constituencies in Benue State.

According to him, restoring two State Constituencies each to Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo LGAs—bringing the total back to six—is necessary to correct historical injustice, reflect demographic realities, and strengthen democratic representation in the state.

Following a unanimous voice vote, the House urged INEC to restore Ado II, Okpokwu II, and Otukpa State Constituency in Ogbadibo LGA.

The House also directed the electoral body to begin processes that would ensure elections into the restored constituencies are conducted in 2027.

To ensure compliance, the House, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, mandated its Committee on INEC to engage with the commission, the Benue State Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and other relevant stakeholders for the immediate restoration and operationalization of the constituencies.