Reps urge INEC to release all suppressed states constituencies

The House of Representatives on Thursday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release all the suppressed states constituencies across the country.

This the House said should be done in line with the provision of Section 91 of the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the 2006 population figures and forward same to the National Assembly for ratification.

Honourable Kingsley Chinda who moved a motion to that effect said that there are about 66 such constituencies spread across 19 states of the federation.

He listed affected states that should enjoy new constituencies to include: Akwa Ibom (4); Anambra (3); Bauchi (5); Benue (4); Bornu (2); Delta (1); Edo (3); Imo (3); Jigawa (3); Kaduna (6); Kastina (6); Kogi (2); Niger (3); Ogun (1); Ondo (1); Osun (1); Oyo (8); Rivers (7) and Sokoto (3).

According to him, failure by the INEC to carryout the proper delimitation or delineation of electoral constituencies in several states of the country in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended.

He added that INEC’s action has denied people of such affected states and constituencies of their constitutionally guaranteed right to adequate representation at the states Houses of Assembly.

The lawmaker also maintained that, the above constitutional provisions are mandatory, saying failure to comply with any if them is unconstitutional.

When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara it was supported by members.