The Senate has approved the restoration of Ethiope West State Constituency( 1) in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta from the present Ethiope West State Constituency.
The Senate’s decision followed the adoption of a motion by the Deputy President of the Senate Ovie Omo-Agege at Wednesday’s plenary.
In his lead debate,Omo-Agege urged the Senate to approve the restoration of the constuency in compliance with the declarations and orders of the Federal High Court and Section 115 of the 1999 Constitution.
The lawmaker representing Delta Central noted that persistent agitations by concerned stakeholders, leaders and electorate in the constituency led to legal action at the Federal High Court,Warri with Suit No.FHC/ WR/ CS/21/2015
The lawmaker cited a judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Shitu Abubakar on March 25,2015, in which the Federal High Court,Warri upheld the arguments of the representatives of the electorate, stakeholders and people of Ethiope West State Constituency (1).
According to him, the judge granted their reliefs, declaring that”the Delta State House of Assembly as it currently stands is not properly constituted in line with the provisions of Sections 6,36,91 and 112 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) to restore Ethiope West Constituency ( 1) as a state constituency with an elected member in the State House of Assembly”.
He regretted that six years after, INEC had yet to comply with the court order.
Contributing to the debate, the Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District,Sabi Abdullahi said the motion was in order and called for its approval.
He also urged INEC to comply with the court decision.
