The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed Saturday, June 20, 2026, for the conduct of by-elections in six states of the federation.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced the date on Thursday at a brief ceremony held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja to receive a newly sworn-in National Commissioner, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa, retd.
He said the by-elections will be conducted alongside the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for the same date. “We are going into some off-cycle elections very soon. The Ekiti State Governorship Election is scheduled for June 20, 2026. On the same date, the Commission will conduct by-elections to fill vacant seats,” Amupitan said.
According to the commission, the elections will cover senatorial vacancies in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers and Ondo States, as well as a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi State and a House of Representatives seat in Kano State.
“The senatorial seats declared vacant in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers and Ondo States will be filled, alongside the Kebbi State House of Assembly seat and the House of Representatives seat in Kano State,” the INEC chairman stated.
The commission said the vacancies arose from deaths, resignations and court rulings that nullified earlier elections.
Speaking on the new National Commissioner, Prof. Amupitan described Rear Admiral Malafa, retd, as a seasoned professional with extensive experience spanning military service and electoral operations. He noted that she had previously worked with the commission in the area of logistics and served as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy, bringing a wealth of administrative and legal expertise to her new role.
The chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to its constitutional mandate. “Our responsibility is clear. We are committed to conducting elections into the offices of the president, national assembly, governors, state houses of assembly and area councils in a credible and transparent manner,” he said.
Rear Admiral Malafa, retd, thanked the commission for the warm reception and pledged to support the delivery of credible elections.
