Benue: Stakeholders petition NASS over ‘suppressed’ constituencies

By Christiana Ekpa

Concerned Stakeholders from Ado Local Government Area of Benue State has presented a memorandum at the ongoing national public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, demanding the restoration of what they described as their “suppressed constituencies” at both federal and state levels.
Presenting their case before the committee, the group lamented that Ado LGA, with a population of over 300,000 and a landmass of 991.9 square kilometers, has endured decades of political marginalization despite its demographic and geographical strength.
According to the petitioners, Ado historically enjoyed one Federal House of Representatives constituency and two Benue State House of Assembly constituencies.
They recalled that Hon. Bernard Otsepa represented the Ado Federal Constituency in 1992/1993 before what they termed “political suppression, gerrymandering, and constituency restructuring” led to the scrapping of those seats.
Presently, the LGA is left with only one state constituency and no federal constituency of its own.
“This suppression has created imbalance and injustice, denying our people their fair share of representation,” the memorandum read.
The group further argued that the situation violates several provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), including Section 49 on equitable federal representation, Section 91 on state legislative seats, and Section 112 empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to delineate constituencies fairly.
They warned that under representation has worsened insecurity, fueled communal crises, bred voter apathy, and contributed to developmental neglect in the area.
“Citizens feel abandoned and excluded from governance. This weak political voice has contributed to leadership disconnect and marginalization,” they stressed.
The stakeholders maintained that restoring Ado’s suppressed constituencies would bring equity, strengthen democratic participation, and accelerate development.
Specifically, they requested that Ado’s federal constituency be reinstated and its two state assembly constituencies restored in line with population size and constitutional provisions.
They concluded, “We appeal to this honorable Committee to correct this long-standing injustice. Doing so will promote peace, development, and confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.”
The memorandum was endorsed by 10 representatives of the stakeholders from Ado LGA, including Barr. Alex Oketta, Chief Ekpe Ogbu, Hon. Nelson Ogbu, and Dr. Kelvin Odaste. Others are Mrs. Agnes Uloko, Mr. Wisdom Onwe, and Hon. Damian Ujor, among others.