The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)has announced its readiness for bye-elections in December to fill vacant seats across the House of Representatives and several State Houses of Assembly. The vacancies have arisen due to recent political developments and the passing of some members.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, addressing a gathering of media executives at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, clarified the commission’s position amid the ongoing political turmoil in the Rivers State House of Assembly. “We are aware of the factional rift that has split the Rivers Assembly, with some members aligning with Governor Siminalayi Fubara while others support the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,” he stated.
Some Nigerians have criticized INEC for not acting on a petition submitted by lawmakers amid the Rivers crisis. Prof. Yakubu explained, “The commission has been hindered by a series of conflicting rulings from state and federal courts. We’ve been unable to take decisive action because of these contradictory court judgments,” he said, adding that this impasse has delayed the conduct of a by-election for a vacant Assembly seat in Rivers State following the death of one of its members.
INEC has reported that 25 Assembly seats were declared vacant by three colleagues in Rivers State, with the 25 lawmakers subsequently declaring the three seats vacant in response. “We are closely monitoring these developments and, in light of conflicting court decisions, are consulting legal experts and seeking public input on the appropriate steps forward,” Prof. Yakubu commented.
Highlighting the logistical challenges of organizing by-elections, he noted, “Since the current administration took office in July 2023, INEC has conducted approximately 20 by-elections.”
The commission is now finalizing arrangements for the December polls, with specific dates to be announced soon.
In an attempt to address logistical hurdles and streamline the election process, INEC is exploring legislative changes that could allow political parties to nominate replacement candidates for members lost to death or resignation. “This is a practice observed in some countries,” Yakubu explained. “Currently, Nigerian law mandates that all vacant seats be filled through a by-election.”
“We’re engaging with various stakeholders to gauge the feasibility of this system in Nigeria and welcome input from Nigerians on the matter,” he added, emphasizing the importance of ensuring legislative seats do not remain unoccupied.
As INEC prepares for the December by-elections and the upcoming Ondo governorship election, Prof. Yakubu underscored the commission’s commitment to enhancing electoral processes. “We are committed to transparency and operational efficiency in all our electoral activities,” he said, highlighting improvements in voter accreditation and the swift uploading of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, aimed at increasing transparency and boosting public confidence in the electoral process.
“We remain open to constructive dialogue on potential reforms to address Nigeria’s electoral challenges,” Yakubu concluded.
