By Abiola Olawale
Concerns have begun to emerge as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to delay bye-elections for eight vacant National Assembly seats.
The delay has left a total of eight constituencies without a voice at the National Assembly.
The New Diplomat reports that since the inauguration of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in 2023, six lawmakers have passed away.
Five lawmakers from the House of Representatives and one lawmaker from the Senate.
Two additional seats became vacant following the resignations of lawmakers who contested and won in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, bringing the total number of unrepresented districts to eight.
The late lawmakers include Oriyomi Onanuga (Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North, Ogun), who died in January 2025; Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga (Isa/Sabon Birni, Sokoto), who passed in October 2023; Isa Dogonyaro (Garki/Babura, Jigawa) in May 2024; Ekene Adams (Chikun/Kajuru, Kaduna) and Olaide Akinremi (Ibadan North, Oyo), both of whom died in July 2024.
In the Senate, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South) died in July 2024 in the United Kingdom.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa vacated their seats after winning the 2024 gubernatorial election of Edo State.
INEC’s inaction to conduct a bye-election to replace these lawmakers has sparked outrage among citizens, with arguments mounting that the electoral body is flouting constitutional mandates.
A political analyst who didn’t want his name in print told the New Diplomat that INEC’s action is against the Nigerian constitution.
According to the analysts, the Nigerian Constitution is crystal clear: Section 76(2), alongside Section 68, mandates that bye-elections for vacant National Assembly seats be conducted within 30 days.
He also argued that INEC’s failure to act has left eight constituencies without representation, violating the Electoral Act and undermining the democratic rights of thousands.
The New Diplomat reports that this development comes in contrast to what INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu promised Nigerians in November 2024.
Yakubu, who addressed the press had promised that the electoral body was working out modalities for the polls.
But since then, attention appears to have shifted toward the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, and Anambra, raising fears that these National Assembly seats could remain vacant indefinitely.
Also, recently, Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, assured that the Commission would announce dates “in due course.” Yet, no official timeline has been released.
