The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 20 for the conduct of by-elections in six states.
Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, relayed this at a ceremony held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja to receive Jamila Malafa, the new national commissioner who was sworn in on Thursday.
He said the by-elections will be conducted alongside the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for the same date.
He said the elections will cover 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,” he 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.”
Speaking on the appointment of the new national commissioner, Amupitan described Malafa as a seasoned professional with extensive experience spanning military service and electoral operations.
He said 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.
In her remarks, Malafa expressed appreciation for the reception accorded her and pledged to contribute meaningfully to the commission’s 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.
