The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored 25 previously suppressed state constituencies across Benue, Delta, Jigawa, and Kogi states. This gives political parties a tight window from June 16 to June 25 to conduct primaries for those seats.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the restoration in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. He said the move followed court judgments that ordered the reinstatement of the constituencies.
In Benue, the restored constituencies are Nyamatsor, Ukum Afia, Konshisha III (Shangev-Tiev), Makurdi III (South East), and Gboko III. Delta gets Aniocha North II, Ika North East II, Sapele II, Ethiope West II, Warri South West II, and Warri North II. Jigawa's restored constituency is Aujara. Kogi has the longest list: Adavi East, Eika, Ajaokuta North, Bassa-Komu, Dekina Town and District, Ijumu II, Kabba-Bunu II, Koton Karfe II, Igala Ogwa, and Ogugu state constituencies.
Haruna explained that the June 16-25 primaries period is meant to allow the restored constituencies to participate in the 2027 general elections, especially regarding candidate nominations. All other timelines in INEC's already published revised timetable will apply to these constituencies.
"For the avoidance of doubt, all other timelines and activities contained in the already published revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections shall apply to the restored constituencies," Haruna said.
He added that political parties must submit notices of their primaries to INEC before the scheduled dates. The commission reiterated its commitment to credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral processes.
This restoration resolves a long-standing grievance in these communities, where voters were effectively disenfranchised in previous elections because their constituencies weren't represented. The affected areas had been without representation in state houses of assembly, leaving residents unable to elect lawmakers for years.
The court orders that triggered the restoration came from cases filed by community leaders and political groups who argued that the suppression violated the constitution. INEC didn't disclose the specific judgments but confirmed they were binding.
Political parties now face a scramble to organise primaries in less than two weeks. Parties that miss the deadline won't field candidates in those constituencies, potentially handing an advantage to opponents who move faster.
The restored constituencies are all state assembly seats, meaning they'll elect lawmakers to the state houses of assembly in Benue, Delta, Jigawa, and Kogi. The 2027 general elections are scheduled to begin in February 2027, with primaries typically held months earlier.
Observers say the tight timeline could lead to legal challenges if parties fail to conduct primaries properly. INEC hasn't indicated whether it'll extend the deadline if parties request more time.