The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared eight political parties and 26 candidates to contest Saturday’s by-elections aimed at filling vacant federal and state legislative positions across six states.
The polls will take place in four senatorial districts spanning Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, and Ondo States, one House of Representatives constituency in Kano State, and one State House of Assembly constituency in Kebbi State.
These vacancies arose following the deaths of serving lawmakers and the resignation of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim of Ondo South, who stepped down after his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Available information from INEC indicated that a total of 26 candidates drawn from various political parties will contest the six elections.
Nasarawa: Six candidates battle for Akwashiki’s seat
In Nasarawa State, six political parties have fielded candidates for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election following the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who was elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023.
Akwashiki died in India on December 31, 2025, after a prolonged illness.
The candidates are Alaku Mohammed Steve (ADC), Danladi Haliru Envulunza (APC), former Information Minister Labaran Maku (LP), Duba Ishaya Dodo (NDC), John Paul Araneshri (NNPP) and Emmanuel Ombugadu (PDP).
The senatorial district comprises Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba local government areas.
Enugu: Seven cleared after revised list
In Enugu State, INEC revised its earlier list and eventually cleared seven candidates to contest the Enugu North Senatorial District seat left vacant by the death of Senator Okey Ezea.
Ezea, elected on the platform of the Labour Party in 2023, died on November 18, 2025, at a Lagos hospital.
The revised list followed complaints and legal action over the exclusion of some political parties, including the Labour Party. Following the publication of the updated list, the LP withdrew its suit against INEC.
The candidates are Chika Idoko Emmanuel (ADC), Asogwa Ikeje Israel (APC), Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka (Boot Party), Eze Ejike Simon (LP), Ossai Elias Okwudili (NDC), Ezeme Nestor Chika (PDP) and Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu (PRP).
The election will hold across the six local government areas that make up the district: Nsukka, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Udenu, Uzo-Uwani and Igbo-Etiti.
Rivers: Four parties contest Southeast Senatorial seat
Four political parties will contest the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District by-election following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented the district on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mpigi died in London on February 19, after a prolonged illness.
The candidates are Douglas Fabeke Beeka (AA), Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari (APC), Sam Kinanee Barikpoa (LP) and Nwogu Olaka Johnson (PDP).
INEC said 858,573 registered voters are expected to participate in the election across Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Eleme, Tai, Oyigbo, Khana and Gokana local government areas.
The commission will conduct the election in 88 wards and 1,629 polling units, deploying 6,774 ad hoc personnel.
Political observers have noted that the four parties are members of the Rainbow Coalition led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, with indications that some candidates may eventually align behind the PDP candidate.
Ondo: Four candidates seek to replace Ibrahim
In Ondo State, four candidates will contest the Ondo South Senatorial District seat vacated by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
Those cleared by INEC are Prof. Dayo Faduyile (APC), Mr. Adeolu Akinwumi (APM), Adesanya Olaoluwa (APP) and Nejo Funso Clement (Boot Party).
The by-election will be conducted across the six local government areas of Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
INEC said 673,446 registered voters are expected to vote in 1,354 polling units spread across 66 registration areas.
The contest has generated significant interest, with zoning debates and political realignments shaping campaigns in the district.
Political analysts say the outcome could serve as a measure of the strength of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the APC structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kano: Three parties in House of Representatives race
For the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat in Kano State, three parties have presented candidates.
The seat became vacant following the death of the lawmaker representing the constituency, Mohammed Hassan, in April.
The candidates are Rabiu Shuaibu (APC), Lawal Garba (APM) and Abubakar Mohammed (LP).
Kebbi: APC, LP battle for Assembly seat
In Kebbi State, only two parties met INEC’s requirements for participation in the Zuru State Constituency by-election.
The APC has fielded Rabi’u Garba Aiki, while the Labour Party nominated Alkali Aliyu M. Galadima.
The seat became vacant following the death of former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mohammed Usman Zuru.
According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abubakar Sarkin Pawa Dambo, the election will be conducted in 10 wards and 200 polling units across Zuru Local Government Area.
INEC said other political parties failed to submit candidates within the stipulated deadline.
The Saturday’s by-elections are expected to test the strength of major political parties in the affected states and provide an early indication of emerging political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
