The 36 Political Elevation Group, 36 PEG, has described a welcomed development the restoration of 22 Constituencies by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s restoration in Kogi, Delta, Benue, and Jigawa States.
The move is in pursuant to court judgments and in line with Sections 91, 112 & 114 of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026.
For decades, representation gaps created governance deficits. Communities voted during presidential and gubernatorial elections but lacked lawmakers at the state level. The result: exclusion from constituency budgets, absence in legislative oversight, and stunted local development.
What This Restoration Achieves:
1. Legal Compliance & Institutional Integrity: INEC’s action follows years of judicial pronouncements describing the suppression as “years of injustice”. Compliance restores public confidence that court orders are not advisory, but binding.
2. Equitable Representation & Resource Allocation: With 6 seats restored in Benue, 6 in Delta, 1 in Jigawa – Aujara State Constituency, Gagarawa LGA, and 10 in Kogi, the State Houses of Assembly now better reflect demographic and geographical realities. Constituency projects, MDAs’ zonal interventions, and oversight functions can now reach previously excluded communities.
3. Electoral Process Activation: INEC has fixed June 16–25, 2026 for party primaries in all restored constituencies. This special timetable ensures participation in candidate nomination for 2027. Political parties must submit notices prior to primaries.
Constituencies Restored – Full List:
– Benue: Nyamatsor, Ukum Afia, Konshisha III (Shangev-Tiev), Makurdi III (South East), Gboko III
– Delta: Aniocha North II, Ika North East II, Sapele II, Ethiope West II, Warri South West II, Warri North II
– Jigawa: Aujara State Constituency, Gagarawa LGA
– Kogi: Adavi East, Eika, Ajaokuta North, Bassa-Komu, Dekina Town & District, Ijumu II, Kabba-Bunu II, Koton Karfe II, Igalaogwa, Ogugu
36 PEG Professional Recommendation:
Restoration must be followed by three institutional actions:
1. Delimitation & Data Validation: INEC’s technical fieldwork for constituency maps and demographic data must be transparent and participatory.
2. Party Internal Democracy: Parties must avoid imposition. Primaries in these areas should be competitive, inclusive of women and youth, and devoid of violence.
3. Citizen Preparedness: Stakeholders – traditional institutions, CSOs, media – must drive voter education, PVC collection, and candidate scrutiny. Representation without accountability will repeat old deficits.
The people of Aujara, Adavi East, Warri North II, Nyamatsor, and all restored areas have waited long enough. This is not the end of advocacy, but the beginning of performance.
36 PEG will monitor the delimitation process and primaries to ensure the restoration delivers measurable development impact.
36 Political Elevation Group – Policy. Representation. Accountability.
