The Senate on Wednesday approved the restoration of three constituencies in Benue state.
This followed a motion titled, “Approval for the restoration of Two (2) State Constituencies from Ushongo State Constituency of Benue State and the restoration of Agasha State Constituency from Guma State Constituency in compliance with the decisions of the Courts and Section 115 of the Constitution.”
The motion was sponsored by the Senator representing Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam.
The Senate also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with its resolution which approved the restoration of the three constituencies.
“To seek the concurrence of the House of Representatives in line with Section 115 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.”
Suswam in his lead debate, urged the Senate to note the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja of January 13, 2005 in the case of Ushongo Local Government v. INEC suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/562/2004 which ordered the INEC to restore the suppressed Mata and Mbagwa State Constituencies in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State;
He also called attention to the decision of the Supreme Court of October 10, 2018 in the case of INEC v. GUMA LGA and 2 Ors suit No. SC/195/2016 wherein the apex court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal delivered on 16/06/2015 in suit No.CA/MK/137/2012 on the immediate restoration of Agasha State Constituency in Guma Local Government of Benue State;
