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By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Political stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial District have issued a firm demand for the full implementation of multiple Federal High Court judgments ordering the restoration of suppressed state constituencies, warning that any deviation could ignite fresh legal battles and destabilize the state’s fragile political balance.
The stakeholders made their position known on Tuesday, following a high-level engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja.
Speaking on their behalf, Barrister Fred Achor Ademu commended the electoral body for initiating steps towards enforcing the long-standing court rulings but cautioned against partial compliance.
Ademu explained that the engagement was convened to press the case for constituencies in Kogi East that were allegedly suppressed, stressing that their restoration is critical to deepening democratic governance and ensuring equitable representation at the grassroots.
At the heart of the agitation are two landmark judgments delivered in 2014 and 2016 under Suit Nos. FHC/FKJ/CS/19/2014 and FHC/FKJ/CS/23/2016, as well as a fresh ruling in 2026, all of which directed INEC to reinstate affected constituencies.
According to Ademu, the first ruling specifically ordered the restoration of the Ogugu State Constituency, while the second addressed broader concerns over multiple constituencies in Kogi East that were removed despite existing legal provisions.
Despite the court victories, stakeholders lamented that implementation has been delayed for over a decade, a situation they described as a threat to justice and democratic fairness.
“A valid court judgment cannot be subjected to discretion or selective interpretation . Under Section 287 of the Constitution, all authorities, including INEC, are duty-bound to enforce these decisions fully. Anything short of total compliance is unacceptable,”Ademu stated firmly.
He further dismissed claims that a federal constituency cannot have more than four state constituencies, describing such argument as legally unfounded.
Drawing comparisons with other states, including Nasarawa, Lagos, Oyo, and Bayelsa, Ademu insisted that Kogi State must not be treated as an exception to constitutional provisions.
The stakeholders warned that any attempt to alter, delay, or selectively implement the judgments could trigger renewed litigation, with far-reaching consequences for peace and political stability in the state.
“This is not a matter for negotiation. Justice delayed must not become justice denied. The law is clear, and INEC must follow it to the letter,”
Ademu added.
While maintaining a firm stance, the Kogi East delegation pledged its cooperation with INEC in the ongoing delineation process, expressing optimism that the commission would uphold the rule of law and deliver a fair outcome.
As the debate intensifies, political observers say the handling of the constituency restoration issue could redefine representation dynamics in Kogi State ahead of future elections, making INEC’s next steps crucial not only for legal compliance but also for sustaining peace and public trust in the democratic process.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
