INEC fixes June 20 for bye elections in six states
By-elections into the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly will hold on Saturday, June 20, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced yesterday. The by-elections would be conducted in
By-elections into the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly will hold on Saturday, June 20, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced yesterday. The by-elections would be conducted in six states - Kebbi, Kano, Ondo, Rivers, Nasarawa and Enugu.
The Ondo senatorial seat became vacant, following the resignation of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who has resumed at the United Nations as Nigerian Permanent Representative.
The other three senatorial by-elections will be conducted in Rivers, Nasarawa and Enugu to fill the vacancy created by the demise of Senators Barinada Mpigi, Godiya Akwashika and Okey Ezea.
INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan announced the date during the swearing- in of at a National Commissioner, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (rtd.).
He said the by-elections will be conducted alongside the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for the same date.
Amupitan said: “We are going into some off-cycle elections very soon. The Ekiti State Governorship Election is scheduled for June 20, 2026. On the same date, the Commission will conduct bye-elections to fill vacant seats.
“The senatorial seats declared vacant in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers and Ondo States will be filled, alongside the Kebbi State House of Assembly seat and the House of Representatives seat in Kano State.”
Amupitan described Rear Admiral Malafa (rtd.) as a seasoned professional with extensive experience spanning military service and electoral operations.
He recalled that Malafa had previously worked with the Commission in the area of logistics, adding that he served as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy, bringing a wealth of administrative and legal expertise to her new role.
The Chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to its constitutional mandate.
Amupitan said: “Our responsibility is clear. We are committed to conducting elections into the offices of the President, National Assembly, Governors, State Houses of Assembly and Area Councils in a credible and transparent manner,” he said.
Admiral Malafa expressed appreciation for the reception accorded her and pledged to contribute meaningfully to the Commission’s work.
She said: “I’m glad to be here and I thank you for the warm reception. I look forward to working with everyone for the development and stability of our country, and for the success of forthcoming electionn.”
The event was attended by National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, the Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), other senior officials of the Commission, and family members of the new National Commissioner.
