The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted by-elections on September 19, 2026, to fill five legislative vacancies across four states in Nigeria: Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, and Delta. The affected constituencies included Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies, and Udu State Constituency. These vacancies arose due to various circumstances, including death, resignation, and defection to other political parties.
The Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency seat became vacant after the lawmaker, Yaya Bauchi Tongo, died in June 2026. In Bauchi, the Sakwa seat was left vacant after the former occupant's death, while the Disina seat was vacated when its lawmaker resigned to contest a local government chairmanship position. The Udu constituency seat in Delta was declared vacant after Collins Egbetamah defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In Kano, the Dawakin Kudu seat became vacant after Rabiu Shuaibu left the State Assembly to contest the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat.
Since the 2023 general election, INEC has conducted by-elections three times to fill vacant legislative seats across the country. On February 3, 2024, the commission conducted nine by-elections to fill early vacancies, which took place simultaneously with 35 court-ordered rerun elections. Additionally, on August 16, 2025, INEC conducted 16 by-elections across 12 states to fill further vacancies that arose due to subsequent deaths and resignations.
The frequent conduct of by-elections has raised concerns among Nigerians about the high cost of conducting elections in the country. Many citizens have called for Nigeria to adopt the United States model of filling vacant legislative seats, where governors appoint persons to replace Congress members who die or resign from office in 36 states until a general election is held. This approach is seen as a potential solution to reduce the financial burden and risks associated with by-elections.
In the United States, the model of appointing replacements has been in place for some time, and it has been suggested that Nigeria could adopt a similar approach. By allowing the party that sponsored the member to replace them, the party system could be strengthened, and the legislature could be stabilized. This approach could also help reduce the cost of democracy in Nigeria.
The current process of conducting by-elections has been criticized for being costly and risky. Every time by-elections are held, billions of naira are expended, and lives are put at risk. The INEC has faced challenges in conducting free and fair elections, and the process has been marred by controversies and violence. Adopting the US model could help mitigate these risks and reduce the financial burden on the country.
The Chairman of INEC, in January 2025, suggested that the National Assembly should consider amending the 1999 Constitution to adopt the US model of appointing replacements to fill legislative vacancies. This proposal has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some arguing that it could help strengthen the party system and reduce the cost of democracy. Others have expressed concerns about the potential implications of adopting a new approach to filling legislative vacancies.
Key points
- The financial burden of conducting by-elections in Nigeria has necessitated calls to adopt the US model of appointing replacements to fill legislative vacancies.
- INEC has conducted by-elections three times since the 2023 general election to fill vacant legislative seats across the country.
- The US model of appointing replacements to fill legislative vacancies has been suggested as a potential solution to reduce the financial burden and risks associated with by-elections in Nigeria.
