INEC fixes August 16 for by-elections in 16 constituencies
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled a series of by-elections for Saturday, August 16, 2025, to fill vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies across 12 states.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, announced during a meeting with political party leaders in Abuja on Thursday.
He explained that the vacancies arose from resignations, deaths, and court-ordered annulments.
“These elections will take place in 16 constituencies involving two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies, and nine State Assembly seats,” Yakubu said.
The affected constituencies include Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts; Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo) Federal Constituencies. The nine State Assembly seats are Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North I (Anambra), Dekina/Okura (Kogi), Zaria Kewaye and Basawa (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono (Kano), Mariga (Niger), Karim Lamido I (Taraba), and Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara).
Yakubu stated that the Commission would deploy 30,451 officials to conduct the polls, which will cover 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards, and 6,987 Polling Units.
Nevertheless, INEC confirmed that by-elections will not be conducted in two State Constituencies: Khana II in Rivers State, due to a state of emergency, and Talata Mafara South in Zamfara State, which is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
“The commission has fixed Saturday, 16th August 2025, for by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the country involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units. The commission will deploy 30,451 officials.
“However, in spite of the declaration of vacancies, by-elections will not hold in two State constituencies for the time being. These are Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency and Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State following a legal challenge to the declaration of the seat vacant by the State Assembly,” he added.
