Hon. Ajibola Muraina moves motion to increase Oyo state constituencies from 32 to 40

Hon Ajibola Muraina, the Honourable Member representing Ibarapa Central/ Ibarapa North in the Federal House of Representatives at the plenary of Tuesday 16th February, 2020 moved a motion on the need to increase the Oyo State Constituencies from 32 to a maximum of 40. 

The motion titled: “The Need for INEC To Review Upward The Number Of State Constituencies In Oyo State To Satisfy The Provision Of Sections 112-114 Of The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria (As Amended)”, was based on the provision that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shall divide every state in the federation into such number of State Constituencies as is equal to three or four times the number of Federal Constituencies within the State. 

Below is the full text of the motion: 

Need for Independent National Electoral Commission to Review Upward the Number 

of State Constituencies in Oyo State to Satisfy the Provisions of Sections 112–114 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999:

Hon. S. Ajibola Muraina Hon. Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi

Hon. Adeyemi Akeem Adeniyi Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun A.

Hon. Shina Abiola A. Peller Hon. Ojerinde Oiumide Abrodun

Hon. Olatubosun Olajide Hon. Yemi Taiwo         

Hon. Stanley Olajide Hon. Abass Agboworin

Hon. Akinola Adekunle Alabi Hon. Akintola Oluokun George

Hon.Tolulope Tiwalola Akande-Sadipe. Hon. Jacob Adejumo:

The House:

Notes that Section 112 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shall divide every state in the Federation into such number of State constituencies as is equal to three or four times the number of Federal constituencies within the State;

Also notes that Section 91 of the Constitution provides that the House of Assembly of a State shall consist of three or four times the number of seats the State has in the House of Representatives divided, in a way to reflect, as far as possible, nearly equal population” provided that a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of not less than twenty–four and not more than forty members;

Further notes that Section 114 of the Constitution provides that INEC shall review the division of every State into constituencies at intervals of not less than ten years, and may alter such constituencies under the provisions of this section to such extent as it may consider desirable in the light of the review;

Aware that Oyo State  currently has Thirty–Two (32) State Constituencies and fourteen (14) Federal constituencies namely: Ona–Ara/Egbeda, Iseyin/Kajol a/lwajowa/Itesiwaju, Ibadan North–East/South-East, Lagelu/Akinyele, Ibarapa East/Ido, Ibadan North, Oluyole, Atisbo/Saki East/Saki West, Ibadan North–West/South–West, Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North, Afijio/Atiba/Oyo East/Oyo West, Ogo–Oluwa/Surulere, Oluyole, Ogbomosho–North/South/Orire and Olorunsogo/Orelope/Irepo;

Believes that to satisfy the Constitutional provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the number of State Constituencies in Oyo State should be 40, being the maximum threshold prescribed by the Constitution;

Concerned that since the inception of the present democratic dispensation on 29 May 1999, INEC has failed to review the number of State constituencies in Oyo State as prescribed by the Constitution;

Observes that the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Federation and its provisions are binding on all authorities and persons in Nigeria including, INEC;

Also observes that the failure or refusal of INEC to comply with the provisions of the Constitution deprives the people of Oyo State of equitable and fair representation in the State House of Assembly;

Also aware that the discharge of this constitutional duty by INEC is subject to the consequential approval of the National Assembly, hence, the process should be commenced and concluded before the statutory periods prescribed for the conduct of next general election in Nigeria, which may hold fixed in the First Quarter of 2021.

Resolves to:

(i) Urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence the process of reviewing upward the number of State Constituencies in Oyo State ( by creating additional 8 State Constituencies )to satisfy the mandatory provisions of Sections 112 to 114, forthwith;

(ii) mandate the Committee on Electoral Matters to ensure compliance and report back within six (6) weeks.                           

The motion was jointly seconded by the duo of Hon Agunsoye Oluwarotimi representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State and Hon Sulaimon Aminu of Fegge Federal Constituency of Kano. My two above mentioned honourable colleagues that supported the motion also sought for the amendment of the prayer to enable the review cover the whole of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to be limited to Oyo State alone.    The House unanimously passed both the amendment and the motion as amended. 

Undoubtedly the motion enjoyed the support of the whole house. From  Hon Dr Ajibola Muraina, Reporting from the 9th House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 16th Feb. 2021.

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