The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set June 20, 2026, for the conduct of by-elections in six states.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan announced the date at a ceremony held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to receive Jamila Malafa, the new national commissioner who was sworn in on Thursday.
He said the by-elections will hold alongside the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for the same day.
The polls will fill senatorial vacancies in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Ondo states, as well as a state house of assembly seat in Kebbi and a house of representatives seat in Kano.
“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.
“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.”
On Malafa’s appointment, Amupitan described her as a seasoned professional with experience in military service and electoral operations. He noted that she previously worked with INEC on logistics and served as director of legal services in the Nigerian Navy, bringing administrative and legal expertise to the role.
The chairman reaffirmed INEC’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.
In her remarks, Malafa thanked the commission for the warm reception and pledged to contribute to its work.
“I’m glad to be here and I thank you for the warm reception. I look forward to working with everyone for the development and stability of our country, and for the success of forthcoming elections,” she said.
