The House of Representatives has officially called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately restore and conduct elections for the Ukum II (Afia) State Constituency in Benue State.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Solomon Wombo, who highlighted a persistent constitutional breach regarding the composition of the Benue State House of Assembly.
Hon. Wombo informed the House that under Sections 91, 112, and 113 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a State House of Assembly must consist of three to four times the number of seats that the state holds in the federal House of Representatives.
Currently, the Benue State House of Assembly operates with 29 members, a figure the lawmaker argued is inconsistent with the mandated constitutional ratio. He noted that the continued suppression of the Ukum II (Afia) seat has left a significant portion of the electorate without their rightful voice in state governance.
The push for restoration is backed by a decisive legal victory. Hon. Wombo cited a judgment from the Makurdi Judicial Division of the Court of Appeal (Appeal No. CA/MK/CS/257/2022), delivered on December 5, 2025.
- The current 29-member composition of the Benue Assembly is unconstitutional.
- The failure to conduct elections into the restored Ukum II (Afia) constituency, despite prior National Assembly approval- Section 115 of the Constitution.
“The non-conduct of elections in this constituency amounts to a denial of the constitutional rights of the electorate to vote, be voted for, and enjoy adequate representation,” Wombo stated.
Concerned that ignoring the court’s judgment undermines the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution, the House unanimously adopted the following resolutions:
- Urged INEC to comply “fully and expeditiously” with the Court of Appeal judgment by organizing elections for the Ukum II (Afia) seat.
- Directed that a Certified True Copy of the resolution be transmitted to the Chairman of INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Governor of Benue State for immediate action.
- Mandated the House Committee on Electoral Matters to work alongside INEC to identify any legal or administrative hurdles to the restoration.
The Committee is expected to report back to the House within four weeks to ensure the judicial mandate is finalized and the people of Ukum II regain their legislative representation.
