The Senate has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately restore three state constituencies in Benue State, Ukum II (Afia), Konshisha II (Shangev-Tiev), and Gboko I ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This directive follows a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on December 5, 2025, in Makurdi, which ordered the restoration of Ukum II and Konshisha II (Shangev-Tiev) constituencies and mandated that elections be conducted in them during the 2027 polls.
The resolution was adopted after a motion moved by Senator Emmanuel Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, who drew the attention of the upper chamber to INEC’s failure to implement the appellate court’s ruling.
Senator Udende informed his colleagues that the Court of Appeal granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, including a specific order that “the defendant (INEC) is ordered to conduct elections to Ukum II (Afia) and Konshisha II (Ishangev-Tiev) state constituencies of the Benue State House of Assembly in the forthcoming general elections in the year 2027, unfailingly.”
INEC, which has the constitutional responsibility under Section 153(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to organise, undertake, and supervise all elections into elective offices, was the defendant in the suit.
The Senate noted 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 into constituencies equal to the number of seats in the State House of Assembly.
It further emphasised INEC’s duty to ensure equity of population in constituency delineation.
Citing relevant constitutional provisions, Senator Udende argued that Section 113 requires INEC to review constituency boundaries at intervals of not less than ten years, while Section 114 empowers the commission to revise boundaries in accordance with constitutional guidelines.
The Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) also reinforces INEC’s mandate in this regard.The Senate stressed that the affected constituencies historically existed and provided representation during the Second and Third Republics before they were merged or removed in the Fourth Republic without adequate constitutional justification.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the removal and merger of these constituencies led to democratic exclusion, population imbalance, and under-representation of distinct communities in Benue State.
They highlighted that the Afia and Ishangev-Tiev communities possess unique demographic, cultural, and economic identities and have made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Benue State and Nigeria at large.
The Senate described the Court of Appeal judgment as a reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy, judicial authority, and the democratic rights of the people.
It warned that any delay or failure by INEC to implement the judgment would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and electoral credibility.
To ensure compliance, the Senate resolved that the restoration of the three constituencies is essential for guaranteeing peace, political stability, and credible elections in Benue State.
The upper chamber further 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.
It also mandated its Standing 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 the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government to provide INEC with the necessary funding and technical support for the successful restoration and conduct of elections in the affected constituencies.
The Senate further requested the concurrence of the House of Representatives on the resolution.
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