The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will distribute Certificates of Return to the winners of recent by-elections on Thursday, August 21, 2025, following the successful completion of polls across various constituencies.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, emphasized that this action aligns with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. The ceremony for Senators-elect and House of Representatives-elect is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
Olumekun outlined that the recipients include Senators-elect from Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, alongside five House of Representatives-elect from constituencies such as Ovie North East and Ovie South West in Edo State, Babura/Garki in Jigawa State, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna State, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North in Ogun State, and Ibadan North in Oyo State.
For state Houses of Assembly, Certificates of Return will be presented by Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at state offices on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The affected constituencies include Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North II (Anambra), Basawa and Zana/Kewaye (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano), Okura (Kogi), Munya (Niger), and Karim Lamido I (Taraba).
Olumekun also noted that re-run elections, mandated by Election Petition Appeal Tribunals, were successfully conducted in Enugu and Kano states despite earlier disruptions due to violence and thuggery. He confirmed that Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) emerged victorious in Enugu South 1 State Constituency, while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured the win in Ghan/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano.
However, the election in Kaura Namoda South Constituency of Zamfara State was declared inconclusive due to violence in five polling units.
“By-elections were held in two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies and nine State Assembly Constituencies. Declaration and return have been made in two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies and eight State Assembly Constituencies. In spite of the prevailing security situation, election was held in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency of Zamfara State.
“However, the Returning Officer reported that he was unable to make a declaration because of violence/emergency in five Polling Units across two Registration Areas/Wards with a total of 3,572 registered voters, out of which 3,265 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were collected by voters. The margin of lead was 1,662. Therefore, based on Section 24(3) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, election must be held in the affected polling units to determine a winner. Consequently, the Commission has fixed Thursday August, 21, 2025 for election in the five polling units,”Olumekun explained.
To resolve this, INEC has scheduled a follow-up election in the affected polling units for Thursday, August 21, 2025, ensuring a fair conclusion to the process.
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