INEC Sets August 16 For Crucial By-elections In 16 Constituencies Across 12 States

…3.5 million voters expected, 30,000 officials to be deployed

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, August 16, 2025, for the conduct of by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states, as part of efforts to fill vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Thursday during the second quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja.

According to Yakubu, a total of 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards, and 6,987 Polling Units will participate in the polls. He disclosed that 30,451 election officials will be deployed to manage the process.

The by-elections will cover two senatorial districts—Anambra South and Edo Central—and five federal constituencies:

Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo)

Babura/Garki (Jigawa)

Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna)

Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun)

Ibadan North (Oyo)

Additionally, nine state constituencies are included:

Ganye (Adamawa)

Onitsha North I (Anambra)

Dekina/Okura (Kogi)

Zaria Kewaye and Basawa (Kaduna)

Bagwai/Shanono (Kano)

Mariga (Niger)

Karim Lamido I (Taraba)

Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara)

Yakubu noted that although two other state constituencies—Khana II (Rivers) and Talata Mafara South (Zamfara)—have declared vacancies, by-elections will not hold in those areas for now due to security concerns and ongoing litigation respectively.

He stressed the urgency and strict schedule of the electoral timeline, stating that party primaries are to be conducted between July 17 and 21, while the submission of nomination forms via INEC’s online portal will run from 9am on July 22 to 6pm on July 26.

Campaign activities will begin on August 2 and must end by midnight on August 14, in line with electoral regulations that mandate campaign silence 24 hours before voting.

In addition to the 16 by-elections, INEC will also conduct two court-ordered re-run elections in:

Enugu South I State Constituency (Enugu State)

Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency (Kano State)

These rerun elections, initially disrupted by violence and thuggery, are being rescheduled following assurances of security support.

Prof. Yakubu assured Nigerians of the Commission’s readiness, urging political parties and stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and within the framework of the law.

“These elections are crucial to maintaining the integrity of our democratic institutions and representation at all legislative levels,” he said.

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