By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored 22 previously suppressed state constituencies across Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi states and scheduled June 16 to June 25, 2026 for political parties to conduct primaries ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Commission announced the development in a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to INEC, the restoration followed court judgments directing the Commission to reinstate the affected constituencies into the country’s electoral structure in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2026.
In Benue State, the restored constituencies are Nyamatsor, Ukum Afia, Konshisha III (Shangev-Tiev), Makurdi III (South East), and Gboko III.
Delta State recorded six restored constituencies, namely Aniocha North II, Ika North East II, Sapele II, Ethiope West II, Warri South West II and Warri North II.
INEC also restored Aujara State Constituency in Jigawa State.
Kogi State had the highest number of restored constituencies with 10, including Adavi East, Eika, Ajaokuta North, Bassa-Komu, Dekina Town and District, Ijumu II, Kabba-Bunu II, Koton Karfe II, Igalaogwa and Ogugu.
The Commission said the affected constituencies would now participate fully in the 2027 General Election and elect representatives into their respective state Houses of Assembly.
INEC directed political parties to conduct primaries in the restored constituencies within the June 16–25 window to enable the emergence of candidates for the state assembly elections.
Haruna noted that all other timelines and activities already contained in the revised timetable and schedule for the 2027 General Election remain valid and applicable to the restored constituencies.
The Commission also instructed political parties to notify it ahead of their primaries to enable proper monitoring of the exercise in compliance with the Electoral Act.
INEC explained that the special arrangement became necessary because the primaries for the restored constituencies were being conducted outside the original statewide schedule.
The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to credible, inclusive and transparent elections, stating that the restoration of the constituencies was part of its constitutional mandate to ensure fair representation and participation in the democratic process.
The development means voters in the affected constituencies, many of whom had been excluded from representation for years, will now participate in the election of state lawmakers in 2027.
INEC added that political parties in the affected states would need to adjust their preparations and logistics to accommodate the restored constituencies within the approved timeline.
The Commission further stated that preparations for the 2027 General Election were ongoing nationwide, including activities such as Continuous Voter Registration and candidate nomination processes.
Stakeholders in the affected states are expected to engage political parties and aspirants ahead of the primaries, while INEC assured that the same operational standards and electoral technology being deployed nationwide would also be applied in the restored constituencies during the 2027 polls.
