On February 3, nine open seats will be filled by 74 candidates in by-elections scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The untimely deaths of a few members of the national and state Houses of Assembly have given birth to these by-elections.

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By-elections will be held in two senatorial districts, namely Ebonyi South and Yobe East. Additionally, four federal constituencies, including Shanga/Ngaski/Yauri in Kebbi, Surulere I in Lagos State, Akoko North East/Akoko North West in Ondo State, and Jalingo/Yorro/Zing in Taraba, will undergo elections.

The vacant state assembly seats in Guma I in Benue, Chibok in Borno, and Chikun in Kaduna State will also be contested.

Of the 74 candidates, eight are female. Chikun, Kaduna State, stands out with three female candidates among the 10 vying for the single vacant seat. The states with candidates contesting are Borno (7), Kebbi (9), Lagos (11), Ondo (8), Ebonyi (8), Benue (5), Yobe (5), and Taraba (11). Notably, there are no female candidates in Benue, Yobe, and Taraba.

INEC published the personal particulars and the final list of candidates in the affected state offices, adhering to the Electoral Act (2022). Mr. Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, urged Nigerians to scrutinize the candidates’ details. He emphasized that any aspirant with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by another candidate is false can challenge the nomination by filing a suit at a Federal High Court, as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

As the by-elections approach, citizens are encouraged to actively engage with the electoral process and contribute to the transparency and credibility of the electoral system.