In a bold move that could reshape the political landscape of Rivers State, a federal lawmaker, Hon. Solomon Hart, has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the creation of new state constituencies to address what he described as “glaring underrepresentation and growing population imbalance” in several local government areas.
Hon. Hart, who represents the Opobo/Nkoro-Andoni Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, submitted the letter to INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday. In his correspondence, he cited Sections 112 to 114 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower INEC to review and adjust electoral constituencies to reflect demographic shifts and ensure equitable representation.
In his letter, Hon. Hart emphasized the need for a constitutional and data-driven review of state constituencies across Rivers State. According to him, some densely populated local government areas are currently merged into single state constituencies, leading to unequal representation in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“There are places where over 300,000 people are represented by a single member in the State Assembly, while other constituencies with far fewer people enjoy the same level of representation. This violates the spirit of fair and balanced democratic governance,” Hart wrote.
He specifically pointed to LGAs like Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ikwerre, which have witnessed significant population growth but continue to operate under outdated constituency structures that no longer reflect their current demographic realities.
The letter has sparked widespread conversation among political stakeholders in Rivers State. While many civil society groups and local leaders applauded the initiative as “long overdue,” others have cautioned against politicizing the process.
Mrs. Chioma Okorie, a spokesperson for the Rivers Coalition for Good Governance, commended Hart for taking the bold step. “This is a long-standing issue that has denied many communities a voice in the legislative process. We support any initiative that seeks to correct historical imbalances.”
However, a few critics within the state’s political circles expressed skepticism, suggesting that the move could be used to secure political advantages ahead of the 2027 general elections. “We must be careful that this process is not hijacked by powerful interests seeking to gerrymander the map in their favor,” warned Hon. Kingsley Baribor, a former state assembly member.
INEC has acknowledged receipt of the letter and confirmed that it is reviewing the proposal. In a brief statement, INEC’s Director of Voter Education, Mr. Oluwole Adeyemi, stated: “We welcome all constructive submissions that align with the constitutional mandate of the Commission. Our team will study the letter, verify population data, and consult with relevant stakeholders as required by law.”
He added that any eventual creation of new state constituencies would follow due process, including public hearings and consultations with political parties, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations.
If INEC acts on Hart’s request, it could lead to a redrawing of the political map of Rivers State — potentially increasing the number of lawmakers in the State Assembly and ensuring more balanced regional representation. For communities that have long felt sidelined, it could be the beginning of a new chapter in their democratic journey.
For now, all eyes remain on INEC as the people of Rivers await what could be a landmark decision in the state’s political evolution.
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