INEC plans by-elections to replace Ifeanyi Ubah, others

The Independent National Electoral Commission will hold by-elections to fill the vacant seats of four National Assembly members who passed away in 2024.

Our correspondent gathered on Sunday that the by-elections would be held after the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections slated for September 21 and November 16, 2024, respectively.

Since its inauguration in June 2023, the 10th Assembly has lost four members.

They are Isa Dogonyaro, Ekene Adams, Musiliudeen Akinremi,  and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Dogonyaro, an All Progressives Congress member representing the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State in the House of Representatives, died in Abuja on May 10, 2024, following an undisclosed illness.

Adams, a member of the Labour Party representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, passed away on July 16, 2024, at 39.

Akinremi, a two-term member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, died on July 10, 2024.

Senator Ubah, representing Anambra South, died in London on June 28, 2024.

Giving an update on the conduct of the by-elections for the late National Assembly members, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, told The According that the by-elections would likely be held after the Edo and Ondo governorship polls.

Oyekanmi said, “Most likely, the by-elections to fill the vacant seats would be after the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.”

On February 3, 2024, by-elections were held in nine constituencies to fill seats left vacant by the demise or resignation of members elected during the 2023 general elections, both in the national and state Houses of Assembly.

The by-elections were held across nine states of the federation covering two senatorial districts (Ebonyi South and Yobe East); four federal constituencies (Shanga/Ngaski/Yauri Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Surulere I Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Akoko North East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State and Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State); and three state Constituencies (Guma I State Constituency of Benue State, Chibok State Constituency of Borno State and Chikun State Constituency of Kaduna State).