Voting is ongoing in 16 constituencies across 13 states as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts by-elections to fill vacant seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and state assemblies.
The exercise follows vacancies arising from deaths, resignations, and lawmakers who vacated their seats after moving to higher offices.
The elections are taking place in Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara.
INEC deployed sensitive materials as early as 7 a.m., with polling units opening by 8 a.m. in several locations. Voters and party agents commended the early start, describing it as a boost to the commission’s credibility.
In Kaduna State, voting is ongoing in Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency seat, which became vacant after the death of Rep. Ekene Adams in July 2024. INEC is also conducting by-elections in Sabon Gari and Zaria state constituencies.
Reports confirmed that accreditation and voting began on schedule, with a heavy security presence. However, controversy trailed the exercise as police arrested a suspected political agent, Shehu Patangi, allegedly caught with ₦25.9 million intended for vote buying. State police spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the suspect was arrested at a hotel in Kaduna metropolis and confessed during interrogation.
In Taraba’s Karim Lamido 1 State Constituency, the by-election followed the resignation of lawmaker Mike Dio Jen, now Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
In Adamawa, voters turned out early in Ganye Constituency, while in Jigawa, accreditation began in Garki/Babura Constituency, which became vacant after the death of Isa Dogonyaro in May 2024.
Police authorities across several states imposed movement restrictions to maintain order. In Kaduna, restrictions covered Sabon Gari, Zaria, Chikun, and Kajuru from midnight until the close of polls. In Anambra, police enforced a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. restriction, also barring vigilante groups during voting hours.
In Ogun, vehicular movement was restricted between midnight and 4 p.m. for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency by-election, which became necessary following the death of Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga in January 2025.
In Edo State, activist Kennedy Iyere urged INEC to ensure transparent polls in Edo Central and Ovia constituencies, where vacancies arose after Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa were elected governor and deputy governor in September 2024.
Residents in affected constituencies, particularly in Chikun/Kajuru, expressed deep frustration over the delay in filling the seats, noting that they had been without representation for more than a year, despite constitutional provisions that mandate filling vacancies within 90 days.
The outcome of the by-elections across the 16 constituencies is expected to shape the political landscape in the affected states, with both ruling and opposition parties battling to consolidate their influence ahead of the 2027 general election.
