Kogi House of Assembly has called for a review and further delineation of the state to increase the number of state constituencies from 25 to 27 for effective and adequate representation.
The assembly made the call in Lokoja at Thursday’s plenary, following the adoption of a motion moved by Mr Christopher Atule (PDP-Ibaji).
The assembly called on the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to increase the number of constituencies in Kogi.
Atule urged the house to resolve that the current 25 seats in the house contravened sections 91 and 112 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for a minimum of 27 and maximum of 36 state constituencies.
The legislator noted that the house had earlier made a resolution on the matter and stressed the need for INEC to increase the number of constituencies but that the commission failed to take action.
Citing the recent judgment of the Federal High Court? in Ibadan which ordered the creation of eight more constituencies in Oyo State House of Assembly, the legislator said the court declared the right number of constituencies for legislative assemblies.
He said the court held that the constitution provides for every House of Assembly to have three or four times each state’s number of seats at the House of Representatives.
Atule pointed out that since Kogi had nine seats at the House of Representatives, the constituencies ought not to be fewer than 27 in line? with the judgment.
The lawmaker urged that the resolution of the house be conveyed to INEC with reference to the judgment.
He stressed the need for Gov. Idris Wada to make representation to INEC based on the advice of the state Attorney-General.
The motion was seconded by Mr Nathanie Taiwo (PDP-Kabba-Bunu) and supported by majority of members. (NAN)