By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been urged to as a matter of urgency, restore 11 suppressed State Constituencies and revert to that 1991, 1992 structure of the state assembly before the next election.
The call is contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman of INEC, by a group of Concerned Citizens, routed through the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and submitted at the Commission’s office in Lokoja on Thursday in Lokoja.
The letter Number AY/LN/51/25 signed by A.O. Jonathan Esq., was written on behalf of the group and submitted by a Kogi-based law firm, Ayo Jonathan and Co.
In the letter titled: “Constitutional Breach In The Composition Of The Kogi State House Of Assembly: A Call For Restoration Of The Suppressed Constituencies”, the Legal Practitioner demanded INEC’s compliance with relevant constitutional provisions in exercise of its mandate.
The Concerned Citizens particularly demanded compliance with the provisions of section 91 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
The section according to the letter, provides that “A House of Assembly shall consist of three or four times the number of the seats that a state has in the House of Representatives divided in a way to reflect as far as possible, nearly equal population.”
They stated that the Kogi State House of Assembly has about 25 members drawn from the nine (9) Federal Constituencies and did not meet the minimum requirement of 27 and maximum of 36.
According to the letter, “Simple interpretation of the provision of Section 91 referenced earlier, is that the Kogi State House of Assembly is not duly constituted as the required number constitutionally prescribed has not been complied with.
“The current state of the House Assembly of Kogi State is worrisome in the face of the breach of the provision of section 91 of the Constitution particularly the composition thereto.
“The above has warranted an application to your office demanding compliance with the provisions of section 91 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 As Amended.”, the letter read.
The group is requesting the restoration of 11 suppressed State Constituencies including one in Kogi East Senatorial District, six in Kogi Central and four in Kogi West.
“The demand for redistribution is geared towards equality of representation of the Senatorial Districts at the Kogi State House of Assembly as the creation will bring balance among the Senatorial Districts.
Further, the creation of these seats at the House of Assembly will promote equitable representation, and contribute to inclusive governance and sustainable development in Kogi State”, the group reaffirmed.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the submission of the letter at the state INEC office, Barr Ayokunle Jonathan explained, that the present Kogi State House of Assembly, has just 25 members against the required numbers stipulated under section 91 and section 114 of the constitution.
Barr Zacchaeus Dare Michael, Executive, Chairman Kabba Bunu Local Government said, “Laws are drafted in the spirit of fairness, justice, and equity. And this fairness, equity, and justice has been murdered over time immemorial of Kogi State.
In their prayers.
“We we are urging with profound respect, that National INEC should as a matter of agency, before the next election, restore all the suppressed constituencies so that we can have equal representation at the state Assembly”, he said. (Ends)