Restoration Of Abraka State Constituency: The Journey, The People And The Success

By
Pastor Goodluck A. Owuma
Coordinator, Delta State Advocate for Grassroot Development
+2348037746630.

Introduction

The restoration of the Abraka State Constituency is one of the greatest democratic victories ever recorded in the political history of Abraka Kingdom and Ethiope East Local Government Area. It is a story of courage, sacrifice, vision, persistence, legal struggle, political advocacy and divine intervention.

This achievement did not happen overnight. It was the product of years of commitment by selfless individuals who refused to allow injustice to prevail.

The Historical Background

Following the creation of Delta State in 1991, Abraka State Constituency existed as a distinct constituency and produced a member of the Delta State House of Assembly. The constituency gave the people of Abraka a direct voice in the legislative affairs of Delta State.

However, before the commencement of the 1999 General Elections, Abraka State Constituency was suppressed and merged into the present Ethiope East State Constituency, thereby leaving the entire Ethiope East Local Government Area with only one representative in the Delta State House of Assembly. This development denied the people of Abraka adequate political representation for many years.

The Beginning of the Restoration Struggle

A turning point came when Chief Sunday Onoriode Eromedoghene, while serving as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area during the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, resolved that the injustice must be corrected.

He invited Comrade Bayo Eyube, Chief Monday Arhawhore and Chief Ukpenoko, among other stakeholders, to challenge the suppression of the constituency in court. More importantly, Chief Sunday Onoriode Eromedoghene personally financed the legal battle from commencement until judgment was delivered.

On 5 March 2015, the Federal High Court, Warri, in Suit No. FHC/WR/32/2014 (Comrade Bayo Eyube & 2 Others v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)), ruled in favour of the restoration of Abraka State Constituency and directed INEC to restore the constituency.

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Legislative Intervention at the National Assembly

Although the court had spoken, implementation did not immediately follow.

A fresh breakthrough came when Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, then Deputy President of the Senate, sponsored a motion on the floor of the Senate seeking the restoration of the suppressed Abraka State Constituency in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

The Senate debated the motion extensively and approved the restoration of Abraka State Constituency, reaffirming that the constituency had existed before 1999 and that its suppression was unjustifiable. This legislative intervention gave fresh momentum to the implementation of the court judgment.

The INEC Restoration Exercise

In 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), acting on various court judgments across Nigeria, restored several previously suppressed State Assembly constituencies.

In Delta State, INEC restored:

– Aniocha North II
– Ika North East II
– Sapele II
– Ethiope West II
– Warri South West II
– Warri North II

Unfortunately, Abraka State Constituency was not included in the initial list despite the subsisting court judgment.

Determined not to allow the matter rest, Chief Sunday Onoriode Eromedoghene, through the Delta Orientation Platform (DOP), mobilised legal representation to Abuja with certified copies of the court judgment. Following engagements with INEC, renewed hope emerged that the Commission would fully comply with the judgment and restore Abraka State Constituency.

Today, that hope has become reality. Abraka State Constituency has been restored, and justice has finally prevailed.

Men Who Made History

History will forever remember the following personalities for their invaluable contributions:

Chief Sunday Onoriode Eromedoghene

He conceived the vision of restoring Abraka State Constituency and remained its strongest pillar throughout the struggle. He single-handedly financed the litigation and sustained the movement until victory was achieved. He remains the apostle and financial pillar of the restoration project.

Comrade Bayo Eyube

Comrade Bayo Eyube courageously accepted the responsibility of leading the legal challenge and became one of the principal litigants in the landmark case that secured the favourable judgment. His commitment and perseverance remain worthy of honour.

Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru

Popularly known as “The People’s General,” Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru believed in the greatness and political future of the Abraka people. Through his political leadership, platform, influence and mentorship, he created the opportunity that eventually produced Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, whose legislative intervention became instrumental in advancing the restoration process.

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

As Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege demonstrated uncommon courage by sponsoring the Senate motion that endorsed the restoration of Abraka State Constituency in compliance with the Federal High Court judgment. His contribution remains a major milestone in this historic achievement.

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori

The Governor of Delta State also deserves appreciation for providing an enabling atmosphere for democratic governance and for supporting processes that promote equity, justice and inclusive political representation for the people of Delta State.

My Humble Contribution

As Coordinator of Delta State Advocate for Grassroot Development, I consider it a privilege to have contributed to this struggle through consistent public advocacy. I authored several articles, open letters and petitions calling for the restoration of Abraka State Constituency.

At the time, many doubted whether those publications would make any difference. Today, history has answered the question. The victory belongs to the entire Abraka people, and our voices will once again be heard in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Conclusion

The restoration of Abraka State Constituency belongs to every son and daughter of Abraka.

I congratulate:

– Chief Sunday Onoriode Eromedoghene, whose vision, sacrifice and financial commitment sustained the struggle.
– Comrade Bayo Eyube and his fellow litigants for their courage before the court.
– Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru for believing in the political greatness of the Abraka people.
– Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for providing effective legislative leadership at the National Assembly.
– His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, for his support for democratic development and justice.
– The traditional rulers of the Abraka Kingdoms for their royal encouragement and support.
– All Abraka sons and daughters, community leaders, youth groups, women, professionals and stakeholders who contributed in various ways to this historic success.

This restoration is more than the return of a constituency; it is the restoration of justice, equity, fairness and the democratic voice of the people of Abraka.

History has been made.

Congratulations, Abraka!