INEC Fixes June 20 for By-Elections in Six States, Same Day as Ekiti Governorship Poll

Six By-Elections Set for June 20

Nigeria’s electoral commission has locked in Saturday, June 20, 2026 for by-elections in six states — the same day as the Ekiti State governorship election. That’s a packed ballot day.

INEC chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan made the announcement Thursday at a ceremony in Abuja, where newly sworn-in National Commissioner Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (rtd.) formally assumed office. The six contests will fill seats left vacant by the deaths of several federal and state lawmakers.

Which Seats Are Up for Grabs

Four of the six vacancies are senatorial. Amupitan listed the affected states as Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Ondo — each declared vacant by the Senate after the deaths of sitting incumbents.

Rounding out the six are a Kebbi State House of Assembly seat and a House of Representatives seat in Kano State.

In his words: “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 bye-elections to fill vacant seats. 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.”

A New Commissioner on Board

Malafa comes with a solid background — military service, electoral logistics, and legal operations, including a stint as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy. She pledged to hit the ground running.

The calendar ahead is already full: Ekiti in June, Osun in August, and then the general elections in early 2027. INEC doesn’t get much breathing room.

Sources: Vanguard, BusinessDay, Daily Report Nigeria