PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State – July 13, 2025 – The lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Cyril Hart, has formally called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to establish two additional state constituencies in Rivers State. In a letter dated July 7, 2025, and received by INEC on July 10, Hart specifically requested the creation of Degema State Constituency II and Bonny State Constituency II, citing critical constitutional provisions as the foundation for his demand.
In his appeal, Hart referenced Section 114 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates INEC to periodically review state constituencies at intervals of not less than ten years. He further pointed to Sections 91 and 112, which stipulate that a state’s House of Assembly should comprise three or four times the number of seats it holds in the House of Representatives, yet not exceeding forty members.
Hart passionately argued that the creation of these new constituencies would significantly bolster political representation, enhance governance, and improve service delivery for the residents of Degema and Bonny local government areas.
“I am writing to formally request the creation of a new state constituency, to be named Bonny State Constituency II, in Bonny Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, Nigeria,” Hart stated in his letter. “This request is made under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), particularly Sections 91 and 112, which empower INEC to delineate constituencies to ensure equitable representation and effective governance.”
He highlighted Bonny LGA’s strategic importance as an economic hub hosting national assets like the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project. “Despite its importance, Bonny LGA currently operates as a single state constituency, which is increasingly inadequate to meet the representational needs of its diverse and growing population,” he asserted. “The creation of Bonny State Constituency II is a critical step toward ensuring equitable representation, fostering inclusive governance, and promoting sustainable development in Bonny LGA.”
At a subsequent meeting with his constituents, Hart reinforced his position, stating that he has provided INEC with ample justification for his request. He pointed out that Rivers State, with 13 seats in the House of Representatives, should constitutionally have 39 State Constituencies, rather than the current 32 seats that have remained largely unchanged for over 20 years.
“As you can see, the House of Assembly of Rivers State is deficient of 7 seats and not in compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution,” Hart explained to his constituents. “Therefore, in the light of the above, I have requested through INEC and the Constitution Review Committee of the House of Representatives for the creation of Degema State Constituency II, and Bonny State Constituency II.”
Acknowledging potential “bottlenecks associated with the creation of States and Constituencies,” Hart expressed confidence in the “sufficient justification” provided to support his vital request for enhanced democratic representation.
