The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled a series of by-elections for Saturday, August 16, 2025, to fill vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies across 12 states.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during a meeting with political party leaders in Abuja on Thursday.
He explained that the vacancies arose from resignations, deaths, and court-ordered annulments.
“These elections will take place in 16 constituencies involving two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies, and nine State Assembly seats,” Yakubu said.
The affected constituencies include Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts; Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo) Federal Constituencies. The nine State Assembly seats are Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North I (Anambra), Dekina/Okura (Kogi), Zaria Kewaye and Basawa (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono (Kano), Mariga (Niger), Karim Lamido I (Taraba), and Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara).
Yakubu said the Commission would deploy 30,451 officials to conduct the polls, which will cover 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards, and 6,987 Polling Units.
However, INEC confirmed that by-elections will not be conducted in two State Constituencies: Khana II in Rivers State, due to a state of emergency, and Talata Mafara South in Zamfara State, which is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
“The commission has fixed Saturday 16th August 2025 for by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the country involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units. The commission will deploy 30,451 officials.
“However, in spite of the declaration of vacancies, by-elections will not hold in two State constituencies for the time being. These are Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency and Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State following a legal challenge to the declaration of the seat vacant by the State Assembly,” he added.
Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 17 and 21. Submission of nomination forms will be done online from July 22 to 26, while campaign activities will begin on August 2 and end on August 14.
In addition to the by-elections, Yakubu announced that two court-ordered re-run elections—Enugu South I (Enugu) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano)—will also be held on August 16. The re-runs were previously disrupted by violence.
Yakubu also disclosed that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise would resume nationwide. Online pre-registration will commence on August 18, followed by physical registration on August 25.
“For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved the resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all the States of the Federation.
“The online pre-registration will start on 18th August 2025 while the in-person registration will follow on 25th August 2025. The exercise will be held simultaneously in all our 37 State and FCT offices as well as our 774 Local Government offices nationwide. Detailed schedule of activities will be released shortly,” he added.
Ahead of the Anambra State governorship election, a separate voter registration exercise will be held in all 326 wards of the state from July 8 to 17.
Yakubu encouraged eligible voters, including those seeking transfers or replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, to participate.
“In view of the forthcoming Governorship election, the CVR in Anambra State will commence in the 326 Wards across the State on 8th July 2025 and end on 17th July 2025 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily, including the weekend.
“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State from other States of the Federation or from one location to another within the State will have the opportunity to do so. Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards are lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement.
“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres. Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register. The online pre-registration option is not available for the time being. Voter registration and the compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law,” Yakubu stated.
Speaking further, the chair said, “The commission has already published the final list of 16 candidates and their running mates for the election. Campaign in public by political parties commenced two weeks ago on 11th June 2025 and will continue until midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025 i.e. 24 hours prior to Election Day.
“During this period, we expect Political Parties to adhere to our Regulations and Guidelines for meetings, rallies and processions already available on our website. However, considering the importance of the matter to the forthcoming elections, hard copies of the document are included in your folders for this meeting.”
On the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, Yakubu urged political party leaders, “Going by the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the FCT Area Council elections, party primaries end on Monday 30th June 2025. You have the next three weeks to tidy up your documentation and upload the list of your candidates to the dedicated portal from 21st July to 11th August 2025.
“I wish to remind you that the portal will automatically shut down at 6.00pm on 11th August 2025. I urge you to adhere strictly to the procedure and timelines for candidate nomination, particularly considering the legal requirement for the Commission to publish the personal particulars of candidates in the various constituencies for claims and objections by citizens within one week from the deadline for submission of nominations.”
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, urged political stakeholders and INEC to prioritise rebuilding trust in the country’s electoral system.
Speaking on behalf of leaders of political parties, Dantalle highlighted the critical role IPAC plays in ensuring electoral integrity and political stability. He acknowledged improvements in recent elections but expressed concern over consistently low voter turnout, which he attributed to public mistrust in the electoral process, fear of violence, and disillusionment with candidates who fail to fulfill campaign promises.
“This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately,” he said, emphasising that active citizen participation is essential for sustaining democracy and national development.
In preparation for the upcoming FCTA Council elections, IPAC urged political parties to conduct transparent and constitutionally compliant primaries, warning against the imposition of candidates.
Dantalle also appealed for issue-based campaigns ahead of the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election, urging politicians to shun divisive rhetoric and bitterness.
The IPAC chairman further encouraged INEC to leverage technology, including centralised Artificial Intelligence governance, to improve the credibility of elections. According to him, such innovations could enhance decision-making, risk management, and voter engagement, ultimately preventing technical glitches that might undermine public confidence.
“IPAC urges leaders of political parties to conduct transparent primaries for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council election. The integrity of the electoral process starts with parties’ primaries where candidates are nominated for various offices. Parties are urged to comply with the provisions of their constitutions for rancour-free exercises and desist from imposition of candidates.
“IPAC further urges political parties and their candidates to imbibe issue-based campaigns for the 8th November 2025, Anambra State governorship election. Politicians and their supporters should eschew politics of bitterness that impedes the nation’s emerging democracy.
“The Anambra gubernatorial poll provides yet another opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its capacity to conduct a credible election leveraging on effective application of its new technologies through centralised Artificial Intelligence governance that will enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, risk management, voter engagement, predictive analytics, automation and intelligent safeguards.
“This will strengthen electoral credibility and integrity, as well as prevent glitches that could erode confidence in elections. IPAC supports any effort to strengthen democratic institutions in the country,” he added.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
