The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 20, 2026, for by-elections across six states of the federation, scheduling the contests to run concurrently with the Ekiti State governorship election on the same date, as it simultaneously swore in a retired rear admiral as a newly appointed National Commissioner.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan announced the by-election dates at a ceremony held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to formally receive the new commissioner, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa.
The by-elections will fill senatorial vacancies in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Ondo states, a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi State, and a House of Representatives seat in Kano State. Consolidating these contests with the Ekiti governorship election reflected the commission’s effort to coordinate multiple electoral activities into a single efficiently managed exercise.
Amupitan described Malafa as a seasoned professional whose experience encompassed military service and prior engagement with the commission’s logistics operations, as well as service as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy. Malafa expressed appreciation for the reception and pledged to contribute meaningfully to the commission’s work and to the stability of Nigeria’s democratic processes.
The commission also commenced a two-day Post-Election Training Audit and Pre-Training Assessment Workshop in Abuja as part of preparations for the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. The workshop reviewed training activities deployed during the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election and the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, with the aim of improving training delivery quality ahead of forthcoming polls. Acting Director General of The Electoral Institute, Professor Ibrahim Sani, described the audit as central to sustaining electoral credibility, noting that poll worker performance remained a defining factor in public confidence in electoral outcomes.
