By Jamiu Ganiyu
Osogbo
28th May 2019
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Lasun Yusuf has demanded for the creation of more House of Assembly seats for Osun and other parts of the Federation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The member representing Osogbo, Olorunda, Orolu, and Irepodu federal constituency at the green chamber dropped made this disclosure while speaking at the last week plenary of the House, held on 21st of May, 2019 which he presided over, when the committee of the whole was considering the request for the National Assembly to Approve the Proposal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create two state constituencies from Guma State Constituency of Benue State sponsored by Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok.
The DS pointed out that many deserving towns in Osun State such as Ifon Osun, Ife East Area office of the state and other parts of the country were supposed to be worked upon by INEC in order to provide fair representation for the people of the affected areas.
Earlier on the case of Guma state constituency area of Benue State, the house of representatives has commissioned an Ad-Hoc Committee to interact with INEC on the issue. The Committee had interacted with INEC to find out the lack of compliance of INEC with the various Court orders.
Hon. Edward stated that in line with that, INEC had begun the processes of complying. Hon. Nkem Abonta in supporting the Motion stated that what the Motion seeks to achieve is in line with complying with equity, fairness, ease of governance as well as fostering peace and conflict resolution.
Hon. Benjamin Wayo supported the Motion but reminded the House that it emanated from a Resolution of the House to INEC after considering the Report of the relevant Committee, to which INEC did not favorably respond till the Ad-Hoc Committee was set up.
He, however, expressed worry why Ushongo Federal Constituency was left out when they were part of the Resolution of House initially. He urged the House to include Ushongo in the Motion.
In replying to Hon. Benjamin Wayo’s claim; Hon. Kayode Oladele stated that the request of Amendments of Constituencies come from INEC. The complaints had been transmitted to INEC which looked into it and decided to Amend the selected ones and transmitted the decision to the National Assembly, hence the Committee had no power to add or neglect any Constituency.
Hon. Edward Pwajok stated that as the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee he didn’t seek to omit any Constituency, he worked for everyone, INEC on their part were the ones who drew the curtains on the extension they were willing to Amend. He, however, assured Members that the National Assembly would continue to interface with INEC to ensure more approvals for more Constituencies from different States can be obtained. The motion was voted on and passed.
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