INEC’s Suppressed Constituencies Restoration: Delta’s seat that never came back
By Egufe Yafugborhi
Ughelli South, Delta State— Residents of Ughelli South Local Government Area are grappling with disappointment following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent announcement restoring several state constituencies in Delta. On June 10, INEC revealed the restoration of 22 seats across Nigeria, including six seats in Delta: Aniocha North II, Ika North East II, Sapele II, Ethiope West II, Warri South West II, and Warri North II. INEC characterized the decision as an expansion of democracy.
However, the announcement failed to mention Ughelli South II, which has been absent from the electoral landscape since 1996. This has left constituents frustrated and questioning why INEC promptly adhered to a 2026 court order but has disregarded a 2015 Court of Appeal judgment concerning their constituency.
The Historical Context
Prior to 1996, Ughelli South LGA enjoyed representation through two constituencies: Ughelli South I and II. These constituencies played pivotal roles in bringing development and oversight closer to the local communities. In 1999, during a national delimitation exercise, INEC merged the two constituencies, suppressing Ughelli South I and effectively reducing representation for the area, which has a population of over 150,000.
According to social justice advocate Zik Gbemre, Ughelli South had seen its fair share of representation since before Nigeria’s independence. During different political epochs, including the First Republic and Second Republic, the LGA maintained dual representation. This structure was dismantled under INEC’s oversight in 1999, resulting in one constituency that has persisted for 15 years.
A Legal Battle
On May 12, 2014, a group led by Chief Godwin Sito initiated legal action against INEC, seeking to restore Ughelli South I, citing the alleged illegal suppression of the constituency. The Federal High Court in Warri ruled in their favor on October 31, 2014, ordering INEC to restore Ughelli South I and to conduct a by-election.
In a reaffirming decision made on May 28, 2015, the Court of Appeal dismissed INEC’s appeal against the ruling, emphasizing that Ughelli South had previously existed as two separate constituencies. Despite these rulings, Ughelli South II remains unreinstated in INEC’s records.
Continuing Exclusion
On June 10, 2026, INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna acknowledged the restoration of certain constituencies based on court judgments. Yet, the exclusion of Ughelli South II has led to critical questions about the Commission’s selective adherence to legal rulings.
Legal experts have raised concerns regarding this inconsistency. Why does INEC prioritize recent court decisions while disregarding those from 2015? A senior lawyer stated that the apparent prioritization sends a troubling message about the nature of justice in these cases.
The Impact on Representation
With only one elected representative, Hon. Festus Otuama, covering a vast population and numerous communities, residents express frustration over unfulfilled developmental projects and the distribution of resources from the state capital, Asaba.
As the local populace continues to advocate for the restoration of Ughelli South II, the situation underscores broader issues of inequity and administrative convenience within INEC. An official admitted off the record that handling old judgments is more complicated than dealing with recent cases, an assertion that raises questions about legal accountability.
Conclusion
Ughelli South has yet to regain its rightful representation, a situation marked by legal victories that have failed to translate into practical political change. The residents remain hopeful for the implementation of the 2015 Court of Appeal judgment, emphasizing that their struggle for representation is far from over. In the eyes of many, Ughelli South continues to exist as a significant but overlooked constituency in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Efforts to resolve the ongoing suppression of Ughelli South I are reportedly ongoing, as additional litigants pursue further legal action against INEC.
For more information, visit Vanguard News.
