INEC Fixes Date For By-Elections Across Four States

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 19, 2026, for by-elections to fill five vacant legislative seats across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states.

According to Ireporter Online, the electoral commission announced the date in a statement shared through its official X handle, confirming that the elections would be conducted across the affected constituencies.

The constituencies involved are the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.

INEC said voting would take place at polling units across the affected constituencies, with the exercise scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.

The vacancies reportedly arose from a combination of deaths, resignations, defections and the decision of some lawmakers to seek other political offices.

The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency seat became vacant following the death of its former representative, Yaya Bauchi Tongo, in June 2026.

In Bauchi State, the Sakwa State Constituency seat became vacant following the death of its former occupant, while the representative for Disina State Constituency resigned from the State House of Assembly to contest for a chairmanship position.

The Udu State Constituency seat in Delta State was declared vacant after its former representative, Collins Egbetamah, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

In Kano State, the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency seat became vacant after its former representative, Rabiu Shuaibu, left the State Assembly to contest the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat.

Shuaibu subsequently won the federal constituency by-election held in June, defeating candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement and the Labour Party.

INEC said preparations were underway for the September 19 by-elections, which will give eligible voters in the affected constituencies the opportunity to elect new representatives to fill the vacant seats.