Community Leader Seeks Immediate Restoration Of Yagba West Suppressed Constituencies In Kogi

The people of Yagba West have urged 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 Federal High Court judgment ordering the revival of suppressed constituencies in the State.

The appeal was made recently by Prince Friday Ogungbemi, during a press conference organised by The Policy and Lawmakers Magazine to commemorate Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day.

Addressing journalists in Lokoja, he said residents of Yagba West I and II have been denied adequate representation in the Kogi State House of Assembly since the return to democratic rule in 1999, despite the constituencies having been created in 1991.

His call comes on the heels of a judgment delivered by Justice Isah Danshan in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/01/2026, which declared the suppression of several constituencies across Kogi State unlawful and directed INEC to restore them and conduct elections in accordance with Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to Ogungbemi, Justice Danshan held that INEC must conduct elections in the suppressed constituencies beginning with the 2027 general elections.

The court ruled that the suppression of constituencies across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State was unconstitutional and ordered the electoral body to comply with constitutional provisions regarding the composition of the State House of Assembly.

Among the constituencies ordered to be restored are Adavi West/East, Ajaokuta South/North and Okehi Eika/Ihima in Kogi Central; Ijumu I Gbede, Ijumu-Arin II, Kabba/Bunu I and II, and Koton Karfe I and II in Kogi West; as well as Bassa Nge/Igbirra and Bassa Komu in Kogi East.

The ruling is expected to increase the number of constituencies in the State from 25 to 36 ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ogungbemi also cited INEC’s 10 June 2026 press release 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, as well as a letter dated 30 April 2026, with reference number INEC/HQ/EOPS/DEL/S.32/213, approving technical processes for the restoration of 20 court-ordered constituencies in the affected states.

He, however, 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 for years suffered political marginalisation and denial of proper representation at the State House of Assembly,” he said.

He called on INEC to include the two constituencies in the restoration process in the interest of justice, fairness and equitable representation.

“As mandated by the court, INEC should, without further delay, include Yagba West I and Yagba West II in the ongoing restoration exercise to correct the injustice suffered over the years,” he added.

As of the time of filing this report, the INEC Kogi State office had yet to issue an official response to the demand.

The Federal High Court also restrained any further suppression of the constituencies that existed after the creation of Kogi State. It directed INEC to consider requests for additional constituencies where financially feasible, in line with Section 91 of the Constitution.