INEC Under Pressure to Restore Yagba West I & II Constituencies as Court Orders Elections in Suppressed Kogi Seats
Publisher of The Policy and Lawmakers Magazine, Prince Bolarin Friday Ogungbemi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately restore and conduct elections in Yagba West I and Yagba West II State Constituencies in Kogi State, following a recent judgment by the Federal High Court.
Addressing journalists in Lokoja on Democracy Day, Ogungbemi said the people of the two constituencies have suffered years of political setbacks and inadequate representation since the return to democratic rule in 1999, due to INEC’s failure to recognize the seats created in 1991 for the Kogi State House of Assembly.
His call follows the judgment delivered by Justice Isah Danshan in Suit No: FHC/LKJ/CS/01/2026 in Lokoja, which declared the suppression of several constituencies in Kogi State unlawful and ordered INEC to restore and conduct elections in the affected constituencies.
Justice Danshan held that the suppression of constituencies across Kogi State’s three senatorial districts was unconstitutional and directed INEC to comply with Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution in determining the composition of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
According to Ogungbemi, the court ruled that, having been established beyond doubt, INEC must, without hesitation, conduct elections in all suppressed constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The court further ordered the restoration of affected constituencies, including: Central Senatorial District – Adavi West/East, Ajaokuta South/North, Okehi Eika/Ihima; West Senatorial District – Ijumu I Gbede, Ijumu-Arin II, Kabba/Bunu I & II, Koton Karfe I & II; and East Senatorial District – Bassa Nge/Igbirra and Bassa Komu.
In total, 36 constituencies are expected to be recognized for the 2027 elections, up from the 25 constituencies contested in previous electoral cycles.
Ogungbemi also referenced INEC’s press release dated June 10, 2026, titled “Conduct of Party Primaries in the Restored Constituencies in Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi States for the Election,” signed by National Commissioner Muhammad Kudu Haruna.
He further cited INEC’s letter, Ref: INEC/HQ/EOPS/DEL/S.32/213, dated April 30, 2026, in which the Commission approved technical processes toward the restoration of 20 court-ordered suppressed constituencies in Kogi, Delta, Benue, and Jigawa States.
Despite these developments, Ogungbemi expressed concern that Yagba West I and Yagba West II were excluded from the ongoing restoration exercise.
“The people of Yagba West Local Government Area have long suffered political marginalization. This prolonged denial has deprived them of proper representation in the State House of Assembly,” he said.
He urged INEC to include Yagba West I and Yagba West II in the restoration process without further delay, describing their continued exclusion as a longstanding injustice.
“For the sake of justice, fairness, and adequate representation of the good people of Yagba West I and Yagba West II, INEC must include these constituencies in the ongoing restoration exercise as mandated by the court,” he added.
As of press time, INEC’s Kogi State office had yet to issue an official response to the demand regarding the Yagba West constituencies.
The Federal High Court judgment also restrained further suppression of the 32 constituencies existing after the creation of Kogi State and directed INEC to consider requests for additional constituencies where financially feasible, in line with Section 91 of the Constitution.
Prince Ogungbemi made the call during a press conference organized by The Policy and Lawmakers Magazine to commemorate Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day.
