Reps to Investigate INEC Over Delay in Conducting Bye-Elections

• The House of Representatives is probing INEC for delays in conducting bye-elections to fill vacant seats in National and State Assemblies

• INEC is expected to explain the delay and outline steps to address it, following a motion by Rep. Jafaru Leko

The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Electoral Matters to investigate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over delays in conducting bye-elections to fill vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies.

The committee is also tasked with summoning INEC’s leadership to explain the delay and outline steps taken to address the issue. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

This resolution followed a motion presented by Rep. Jafaru Leko, who emphasized INEC’s constitutional duty to conduct elections. He referenced Sections 47 and 90 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which ensure citizens’ right to representation in legislative bodies.

Leko noted that since the 2023 general elections, vacancies have arisen due to resignations, deaths, or appointments of former legislators to executive roles.

According to Section 68 of the Constitution, a seat in the National Assembly becomes vacant under specific conditions. In contrast, Section 76(2) mandates that a bye-election be held within one month of a vacancy.

He expressed concern that INEC’s failure to conduct timely bye-elections disenfranchises citizens and violates constitutional principles of representation. He warned that continued inaction sets a dangerous precedent where compliance with electoral laws becomes optional rather than mandatory.

The House also instructed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure adherence to this resolution.

Currently, vacant House of Representatives seats include those from Edo, Oyo, Kaduna, Ogun, and Jigawa states. In the Senate, two seats remain unoccupied, in Edo and Anambra.

Some vacancies resulted from the last Edo governorship election, while others were due to the deaths of elected lawmakers. Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Denis Idahosa, previously represented Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency.

The passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South), Isa Dogonyaro (Jigawa), Ekene Abubakar Adams (Kaduna), Olaide Akinremi (Oyo), and Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (Ogun) left other vacancies.