The Senate has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately restore three state constituencies in Benue State ahead of the 2027 general elections, in compliance with a subsisting Court of Appeal judgment.
The constituencies affected are Ukum II, Konshisha II (Shangev–Tiev), and Gboko East I.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, who raised concern over INEC’s failure to implement the appellate court ruling delivered on December 5, 2025, in Makurdi.
Presenting the motion, Udende informed lawmakers that the Court of Appeal had granted all reliefs sought in the suit, including an order directing INEC to conduct elections in Ukum II (Afia) and Konshisha II (Ishangev–Tiev) constituencies during the 2027 general elections without fail.
He noted that INEC, as established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is constitutionally mandated to organise, undertake, and supervise elections, including the delineation of constituencies.
Citing relevant constitutional provisions, the lawmaker explained that Section 91 prescribes the number of seats in state Houses of Assembly, while Section 112 mandates INEC to divide states into constituencies corresponding to those seats. He added that Sections 113 and 114 empower the commission to periodically review and adjust constituency boundaries to ensure fairness and equity.
Udende further stressed that the affected constituencies had historically existed during Nigeria’s Second and Third Republics, providing direct legislative representation before their removal in the Fourth Republic without adequate constitutional justification.
According to him, the merger and removal of the constituencies led to democratic exclusion, population imbalance, and under-representation of distinct communities in Benue State.
He argued that Afia and Ishangev–Tiev communities possess unique demographic, cultural, and economic identities, and have significantly contributed to the development of the state and the country.
The Senate, in its resolution, described the continued delay in implementing the court judgment as a threat to constitutional order, democratic rights, and public confidence in electoral institutions.
It therefore urged INEC to urgently update electoral boundaries, voter registers, administrative structures, and election planning frameworks to reflect the restored constituencies ahead of the 2027 polls.
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 both the National Assembly and the Executive to provide INEC with the necessary funding and technical support to facilitate the restoration and conduct of elections in the affected constituencies.
Lawmakers emphasized that timely compliance with the court ruling would help guarantee peace, political stability, and credible elections in Benue State.
