PRESS RELEASE
Human Rights Lawyer, Activist and Traditional Ruler, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Calls on INEC to Uphold Constitutional Duty by Creating More Electoral Wards and Constituencies in Yakurr LGA
Calabar, Nigeria — September 6, 202
Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, human rights lawyer, activist, traditional ruler, and registered voter in Ijiman Council Ward, Ugep Urban, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately commence the constitutionally mandated review of electoral wards, state constituencies, and federal constituencies in Yakurr LGA.
Citing Sections 71, 73, 112, and 114 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Chief Obono-Obla emphasized that INEC is under a constitutional obligation to periodically review and adjust constituencies to reflect current demographic realities.
He noted that Yakurr LGA has grown from an estimated population of 90,000 in 1991 to over 400,000 today, with more than 120,000 registered voters, yet it still retains only 13 wards and 2 state constituencies. This, he argued, violates the principle of equal representation and undermines democratic fairness.
He further recalled that the last general review of constituencies was conducted in 1996 under military rule, and that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, INEC has failed to carry out any review in Yakurr LGA or in Cross River State as a whole, despite the creation of over 56,000 new polling units nationwide in 2021.
Chief Obono-Obla stated:
“Yakurr LGA deserves more electoral wards, state constituencies, and federal constituencies to reflect its current population and voter register. INEC must act now in compliance with the Constitution, or I shall approach the Federal High Court to seek an order of mandamus compelling INEC to fulfill its constitutional responsibility.”
He gave INEC 30 days to commence the review process and publish a timetable for its implementation, warning that failure to do so would leave him with no option but to seek judicial redress in the interest of constitutional democracy and effective representation for the people of Yakurr.
This call underscores the urgent need for electoral justice and for INEC to ensure fairness, equality, and strict compliance with constitutional provisions in Nigeria’s democratic process.
