Senate Orders INEC to Restore Three Benue Constituencies Before 2027 Polls

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 line with a Court of Appeal judgment.

The affected constituencies are Ukum II, Konshisha II (Shangev-Tiev), and Gboko I.

The upper chamber’s resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende. He noted that the Court of Appeal, sitting in Makurdi, delivered its judgment on December 5, 2025, ordering the restoration of the constituencies, but that the ruling has yet to be implemented by INEC.

According to Udende, the court directed INEC to conduct elections in Ukum II (Afia) and Konshisha II (Ishangev-Tiev) constituencies during the 2027 general elections without fail.

He reminded lawmakers that INEC, as established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is mandated to organise and supervise elections, including the delineation of constituencies. He added that constitutional provisions require the commission to ensure fair representation and review constituency boundaries periodically.

The Senate stressed that the prolonged delay in restoring the constituencies has denied affected communities adequate representation, describing the situation as a violation of their constitutional rights.

Udende further argued that the constituencies existed during the Second and Third Republics but were later merged or removed in the Fourth Republic without sufficient constitutional basis, leading to population imbalance and under-representation.

Lawmakers warned that failure to implement the court ruling could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and undermine electoral credibility.

Consequently, the Senate urged INEC to urgently update electoral boundaries, voter registers, and administrative structures to reflect the restored constituencies before the 2027 elections.

It also mandated its Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters to engage the commission, obtain a clear implementation timeline, and monitor compliance.

In addition, the Senate called on the National Assembly and the executive to provide INEC with the necessary funding and technical support to facilitate the restoration and conduct elections in the affected areas.