Kogi Assembly Urges INEC to Use Uniform Criteria for Electoral Wards Creation
By Stephen Adeleye
LOKOJA, Sept. 11, 2026
The Kogi State House of Assembly has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt uniform, transparent and verifiable criteria for creating electoral wards.
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The Assembly made the call in a motion sponsored by Hon. Jibril Abu, representing Ajaokuta Constituency, during plenary on Thursday in Lokoja.
The motion was titled, “On the Equitable, Transparent and Orderly Creation of Electoral Wards in Kogi State.”
Moving the motion, Abu said the exercise should be guided by law and evidence rather than political considerations or influence.
He cited Section 40(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which provides that each local government shall have between 10 and 20 wards.
Abu said the same criteria should be applied to all the 21 Local Government Areas (LGA) to ensure fairness and equity.
“Let the same yardstick measure every LGA. If the evidence supports ten, let it be ten,” he said.
He added that areas deserving more wards should receive them based on evidence, regardless of their political influence or connections.
Abu identified Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Adavi, Okehi, Dekina, Ankpa, Okene, Olamaboro, Ibaji and Ofu as requiring priority consideration.
He said the LGAs were experiencing what he described as substantial representational pressure due to their population and electoral strength.
Making a specific case for Ajaokuta, Abu said the LGA had 96,504 registered voters in 2023.
He said with a projected 50 per cent increase, the number could rise to 144,756 registered voters.
According to him, Ajaokuta currently has 14 wards and should be considered for six additional wards.
He urged INEC to create the six additional wards, which would bring Ajaokuta to the statutory maximum of 20 wards.
Contributing, members of the Assembly supported the motion, stressing the need for equity and transparency in the proposed exercise.
The lawmakers, however, also highlighted the need for additional wards in their respective constituencies based on population and electoral demands.
Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf, described the motion as laudable and deserving of consideration.
Yusuf said the criteria provided by law must guide the creation of electoral wards across the state.
He said voting strength, equity, transparency and other relevant factors should be considered to ensure a credible exercise.
The Speaker warned against political influence determining ward creation at the expense of areas without influential political connections.
The Assembly subsequently mandated its relevant committee to obtain and examine INEC data on the proposed exercise.
It directed the committee to report back on the legality, transparency and equity of the proposed ward creation.
The House unanimously supported the prayers contained in the motion.
End
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper, September 11, 2026
