The Independent National Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for Saturday’s by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states, even as political parties and candidates intensified campaigns ahead of the close of political activities at midnight on Thursday.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said in a statement on Thursday that all logistics for the exercise had been put in place.
“With less than 48 hours to the opening of polls, the Commission reiterates its appeal to all those involved in the elections—political parties and their candidates, agents, supporters, voters, observers, the media and security agencies—to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law, regulations and guidelines,” Olumekun said.
He added: “All non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the states. Election technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, has been configured for the election. The final consignment of sensitive materials will be delivered today as scheduled. Stakeholders are urged to avoid acts that can disrupt the process, so that the will of the people will prevail.”
According to INEC, the elections will hold in two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo States; five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo States; and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara States. Court-ordered re-runs will also take place in Enugu South I State Constituency and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State.
Olumekun further announced that Continuous Voter Registration will resume soon, with online pre-registration beginning on August 18, 2025, and physical registration opening on August 25 at 811 centres nationwide.
Parties and candidates make last push In Abuja, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, urged INEC to restore public confidence through credible conduct of the polls.
“INEC must ensure it corrects past errors that have dented its public image. All eyes are on the Commission to deliver a free, fair and credible election,” Mark said in a goodwill message to ADC candidates.
The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State, Michael Okunlade, expressed confidence in the party’s Ibadan North candidate, Islamiyat Abdulkadir, following a court victory clearing her to contest.
“Our candidates are set for victory at the polls on Saturday, considering their popularity and the massive campaigns we have carried out,” Okunlade said.
In Edo State, sensitive materials were distributed from the CBN in Benin to seven LGAs, in the presence of party and civil society representatives. “The exercise, so far, has been seamless and we are good to go,” said Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof. Anugbum Onuoha.
Five of nine participating parties — APC, ADC, ANPP, Action Alliance, and PDP — signed a peace pact, witnessed by security agencies including the Army, DSS, Customs, NDLEA, NSCDC, and Correctional Service. Edo Police Commissioner Monday Agbonika warned against attempts to disrupt the process.
Security agencies on alert
In Adamawa, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of election monitoring, Taiwo Adeleke, warned officers against intimidation of voters and urged professionalism during the exercise.
“You must not allow yourselves to be used to harass voters or disrupt the process. Maintain neutrality and protect the integrity of the election,” Adeleke told officers in Yola.
In Jigawa, Commissioner of Police Dahiru Muhammad announced the closure of the state’s border with Niger Republic from midnight Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday “to prevent any external interference or influence on the election.”
He explained: “We have provided a three-layer security cover at all polling units. We have also secured strategic locations to ensure maximum protection for voters, INEC officials and materials.”
The Ganye State Constituency by-election in Adamawa follows the death of its representative, Abdulmalik Jauro, in May 2024, while the Ibadan North Federal Constituency election was prompted by the passing of two-term lawmaker Musiliudeen Akinremi in July 2024.
In Zamfara, the APC accused Governor Dauda Lawal of planning to deploy outlawed Yansakai vigilantes to intimidate voters in Kaura-Namoda South constituency. Party spokesman Yusuf Idris alleged the group was being “kitted with uniforms and firearms” to secure a PDP win.
In response, Governor’s aide Mustafa Jafaru dismissed the claims as baseless, insisting Lawal “banned all forms of political thuggery” since taking office in 2023 and expressing confidence PDP would win based on the governor’s record.
Across the states, security agencies have pledged to work jointly to secure polling units, election materials, and officials, urging citizens to come out and vote peacefully.
