Court Orders INEC to Hold Elections in 11 Kogi Constituencies

On a recent ruling, the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections in 11 constituencies in Kogi State that had been previously suppressed. Justice Isah Danshan presided over the case, which challenged the long-standing exclusion affecting the electoral structure in the state.

The court confirmed the existence of legal recognition for these constituencies and described the situation as an injustice against the affected populations. Barrister Ayo Kunle Jonathan, the lead counsel for the petition, welcomed the court's decision and urged INEC to respect the judgment and prepare for elections, including those for the next general elections in 2027.

The judgment marks a significant development for the residents of Kogi State, as it calls for immediate administrative processes to ensure elections are held in the affected constituencies, which are expected to participate in the next electoral cycle alongside 36 others, rather than the 25 legislative seats contested in previous elections.