The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored four previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi states, complying with court orders that directed their reinstatement. The announcement was made in a statement signed on Friday, August 14, 2026, by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee.
Restored Constituencies and Legal Compliance
The restored constituencies include three in Delta state: Abraka, Isoko North II, and Ughelli South II, and one in Kogi state: Yagba West II. INEC explained that the restoration was made in compliance with judicial directives, without providing further details on the specific court proceedings involved.
This development follows the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, who chairs the commission. The restoration brings these constituencies back into the electoral framework after they had been suppressed, ensuring that voters in these areas can participate in upcoming elections.
Primaries and Election Timelines
INEC has fixed Friday, August 21 to Tuesday, August 25, 2026, for political parties to conduct primaries in the four newly restored constituencies. The commission stated that this window aligns with the primaries period already set for a separate batch of bye-elections covering several other constituencies across the country.
Those bye-elections include Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye federal constituency in Gombe state, Disina and Sakwa state constituencies in Bauchi state, Udu state constituency in Delta state, and Dawakin Kudu state constituency in Kano state. Voting across all the affected constituencies has been scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Additional Guidelines for Parties
INEC clarified that beyond the primaries window, every other timeline and activity in the already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 elections will apply to the restored constituencies without modification. The commission directed all political parties intending to participate to submit formal notices of their primaries before the scheduled dates.
INEC said it remains committed to running credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral processes. The commission's full official statement on the development was posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account.
Context and Previous Calls for Leadership Change
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) called for the immediate sack of the INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. The executive director of the Islamic group, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, posited that Amupitan cannot be trusted. Similarly, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review Amupitan’s appointment.
Despite these calls, the commission continues its electoral duties, including the restoration of constituencies as ordered by courts. The upcoming primaries and elections will proceed as scheduled, with INEC emphasizing its commitment to transparent processes.
