Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Senate has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately restore Ukum II and Konshisha II (Shangev-Tiev) state constituencies of Benue state in compliance with the judgement of the Court of Appeal.
Also to be restored is Gboko Esst 1 state Constituency
The Court of Appeal had ruled that the two state constituencies be restored.
The resolution of the Senate was on the heels of a motion by the Chairman of it’s committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes Distingushed Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende which drew attention the fact that the court of Appeal sat in Makurdi, the Benue State capital and delivered the judgement on December 5, 2025 but without implementation by the INEC.
Senator Udende told his colleagues that the court of Appeal granted all the reliefs sought for one of which was that ,”The defendant is ordered to conduct elections to Ukum II (Afia) and Konshisha II (Ishangev-Tiev), state constituencies of Benue state House of Assembly in the forth coming general elections in the year 2027, unfailingly.”
The INEC ,charged with the constitutional responsibility, under section 153(f) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended to organize, undertake and supervise all elections into elective offices provided for in the constitution was the defendant in the suit.
The Senate was of the opinion 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 every state of the Federation into such number of state constituencies as is equal to the of seats in the House of Assembly of the state .
He argued further that INEC has responsibility of ensuring equity of population.
According to him, “section 113 of the constitution requires INEC to review the division of every state into constituencies at intervals of not less than ten (10) years, while section 144 empowers INEC to revise constituency boundaries in accordance with constitutional guidelines .
“Further aware that the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), reinforces INEC’s constitutional mandate and provides procedural guidance for electoral administration, including constituency delineation.”
The Senate was of the view that the long standing anomaly be corrected and that the constitutional right of affected communities to fair representation was not negotiable .
Senator Udende had reminded his colleagues that these constituencies historically existed and functioned during the second and third republics and provided the people with direct legislative representation before their unjust removal in the fourth republic without sufficient constitutional justification.
“Further mindful that the removal and merger of these constituencies resulted in democratic exclusion, population imbalance, and under-representation of distinct communities within Benue State.
“Afia and Ishanger–Tiev communities possess distinct demographic, cultural, and economic identities and have made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Benue State and Nigeria and the judgment of the Court of Appeal represents a reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy, judicial authority, and the democratic rights of the people;
Concerned that any delay or failure by INEC to implement this judgment would undermine constitutional order, public confidence in democratic institutions, and electoral credibility.”
Calling for prompt compliance, the senate resolved that the restoration was essential to guarantee peace, political stability, and credible elections in Benue State.
It equally urged INEC to urgently update its electoral boundaries, voter registers, administrative structures, and election planning frameworks to reflect the restored constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections, just as it mandated it’s standing committee on INEC and electoral matters
to engage the commission, demand a clear implementation timeline, and report compliance .
The Senate called on the National Assembly and the executive to provide INEC with the necessary funding and technical support to INEC to conduct the restoration, elections and requested House of Representatives concurrence.
