Members of the Igala Youths Council, along with a coalition of civil society organisations, staged a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Tuesday. The demonstration was against alleged plans to suppress newly created constituencies in Kogi East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The protesters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, urged the electoral commission to protect all constituencies recently gazetted through delineation exercises conducted in 2024 and 2026. They expressed concern that efforts to undermine these constituencies would violate constitutional provisions on representation.
Demands for Constitutional Integrity
Addressing journalists during the protest, the group's spokesperson, Onogu Collins, stated that the demonstration aimed to draw attention to attempts to undermine constitutional provisions on constituency delineation. “We have come in peace to demand that INEC uphold the constitutional integrity of all newly confirmed state constituencies in Kogi East,” he said.
The group specifically accused the Kogi State Government of attempting to suppress the Enjema State Constituency in Ankpa Local Government Area through a proposed Harmonization Bill. According to the protesters, this constituency was among eight additional constituencies approved and gazetted by INEC following delineation exercises in the area.
Underrepresentation Concerns
The protesters argued that Kogi East has suffered years of underrepresentation despite its population strength. They warned that scrapping the constituencies would negatively affect political inclusion and access to development projects. One protester remarked, “Suppressing these constituencies will deny our people fair representation and development.”
INEC Response
Responding on behalf of the commission, INEC National Commissioner, Professor Abdullahi Abduzuru, assured the protesters that the commission would carefully study all issues presented to it. “We’ll look at all the issues alongside what you have presented, and we’ll come back not only to you, but to Nigerians,” he stated.
The protest ended peacefully, with the group vowing to continue monitoring the situation and mobilising support to protect the constituencies.
