Jane Salihu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored the Yagba West II State House of Assembly Constituency in Kogi State, following judgments of the courts directing the restoration of previously suppressed constituencies.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who announced the restoration of four additional State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi States.
According to Haruna, the restored constituencies comprise Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South II in Delta State, and Yagba West II in Kogi State.
He said the Commission had fixed August 21 to 25, 2026, for political parties to conduct their primaries for the restored constituencies.
Haruna explained that the period would coincide with the conduct of party primaries for bye-elections into other recently vacant constituencies, including Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Disina and Sakwa State Constituencies of Bauchi State, Udu State Constituency of Delta State and Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State.
INEC has scheduled September 19, 2026, for the conduct of elections into the affected constituencies.
For Kogi State, the restoration of Yagba West II means that voters in the constituency will again have the opportunity to elect a representative into the State House of Assembly, following the court judgments directing the restoration.
The electoral body said all other timelines and activities contained in its already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election would apply to the restored constituencies.
The Commission also directed political parties wishing to field candidates in the restored constituencies to submit notices of their respective primaries to INEC before the scheduled dates.
The electoral body said the restoration was part of its efforts to implement the judgments of the courts and ensure that the affected constituencies are incorporated into the electoral process.
Haruna said INEC remains committed to ensuring credible, inclusive and transparent electoral processes.
