INEC announces date for by-elections across four states

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set aside Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the date for by-elections to replace five vacant seats in the legislature in four different states.

INEC disclosed the information via a post on their X account on Friday.

The affected constituencies are Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State; Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State; Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State; and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.

According to INEC, voting will take place at polling units within the affected constituencies and will run from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

The vacancies arose from different circumstances, including the death, resignation, defection and movement of lawmakers to contest other political positions.

In Gombe State, the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency seat became vacant following the death of the lawmaker representing the constituency, Yaya Bauchi Tongo, in June 2026.

In Bauchi State, the Sakwa State Constituency seat became vacant following the death of its former occupant, while the lawmaker representing Disina resigned from the State House of Assembly to contest a chairmanship position.

The Udu State Constituency seat in Delta State was declared vacant by the State House of Assembly after its former occupant, Collins Egbetamah, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

In Kano State, the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency seat became vacant after its former occupant, Rabiu Shuaibu, left the State House of Assembly to contest the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat.

Shuaibu subsequently won the federal constituency by-election held in June, defeating candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement and the Labour Party.

INEC said the September 19 exercise would be conducted at polling units across the five affected constituencies.

The commission urged eligible voters in the affected areas to participate in the electoral process and exercise their franchise during the by-elections.