The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that it has not set a date for upcoming by-elections aimed at filling vacant seats in the National Assembly and several State Houses of Assembly. Victoria Eta-Messi, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, expressed in an interview, “No date has been fixed yet for the by-elections. Soon hopefully.”
The urgency for these elections stems from two notable senatorial vacancies: Edo Central, which was previously held by Senator Monday Okpebholo, who has transitioned to the position of Governor of Edo State, and Anambra South, which became vacant following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. The Senate has passed a resolution urging INEC to expedite the process to fill these crucial seats.
In addition to the senatorial vacancies, the House of Representatives is currently facing five empty seats. These include the Ovia North/South Federal Constituency, which was vacated by Denis Idahosa after his election as deputy governor of Edo State. The other four vacancies are due to the deaths of several representatives: Isa Dogonyaro (Garki/Babura, Jigawa), Ekene Abubakar Adams (Chikun/Kajuru, Kaduna), Olaide Akinremi (Ibadan North, Oyo), and Oriyomi Adewunmi Onanuga (Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North, Ogun).
Earlier in February, the House of Representatives directed its committee on Electoral Matters to summon INEC leadership to address concerns regarding the delays in organizing these polls. This has raised questions about the commission’s preparedness and efficiency in handling electoral processes.
The delay in filling these key positions in the legislature has sparked concern among political stakeholders, as it could impact legislative activities and the overall functionality of the National Assembly. As the political environment gears up for future elections, the need for timely by-elections becomes increasingly critical to ensure representation and maintain the democratic process.
