The Senate has approved the restoration of the Aniocha North II State Constituency in Delta State, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment in suit SC/129/2019.
The decision followed a motion moved during Tuesday’s plenary by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta North), titled “Restoration of Aniocha North II State Constituency, Delta in Compliance with Supreme Court Judgment.”
As part of its resolution, the Senate directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the ruling and ensure the constituency’s restoration takes effect in the next Delta State House of Assembly election after the current legislative term.
The approval is based on Section 115 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs the creation and restoration of constituencies.
Senator Nwoko recalled that in 2014, residents of Idumuje-Unor, Idumuje-Ugboko, Nkwu-Nzu, Ugboba, Idumuogo, Ugbodu, Ubulubu, Anioma, and Ogodo—all within Aniocha North Local Government Area—initiated a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Asaba seeking the restoration of the constituency.
Although the Federal High Court dismissed the case, the Court of Appeal in Benin ruled in favor of the petitioners on November 22, 2017, ordering INEC to reinstate the constituency and conduct elections there.
INEC later sought to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court, but on November 29, 2019, the apex court dismissed the application, affirming that the Court of Appeal’s decision was final, binding, and non-appealable.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, INEC held a stakeholder meeting with representatives from the constituency on November 19, 2020.
The commission then forwarded a report to the National Assembly for consideration, as required by law.
However, no concrete steps were taken until Senator Nwoko brought the issue to the Senate’s attention.
The Senate resolved to seek concurrence from the House of Representatives to formalize the restoration process.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Nwoko for championing the cause, stressing that Supreme Court judgments must be respected.
He also urged the Senate’s leadership to immediately contact INEC and ensure coordination with the House of Representatives for speedy implementation.
Akpabio further expressed hope that similar constituency disputes in other states would be resolved through legal channels.
