Voting has commenced in several constituencies across Nigeria, where by-elections are being held to fill vacant legislative seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the by-elections are taking place in 16 constituencies across 13 states, including Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara. These vacancies arose due to the deaths and resignations of former lawmakers.
In the North-West region, polling began early in Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, where voters are electing a new representative for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency. This seat became vacant following the death of Hon. Ekene Adams in 2023.
INEC is also conducting elections in the Sabon Gari and Zaria State Constituencies within Kaduna State. Electoral officials reportedly arrived on schedule, with the distribution of sensitive materials such as ballot papers and result sheets beginning at 7:00 a.m. Polling units were fully set up by 8:00 a.m. Voters and party agents praised the Commission’s prompt logistics, describing it as a positive step toward ensuring a credible electoral process.
However, the election process in Kaduna recorded a significant incident when security operatives arrested a suspected vote-buyer. The spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest of one Shehu Patangi in the early hours of Saturday at a hotel along Turunku Road in the Kaduna metropolis.
According to Hassan, the suspect was allegedly coordinating the distribution of funds to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru poll. Authorities recovered a total of ₦25.96 million in cash from him. During preliminary interrogation, Patangi reportedly confessed and pleaded for leniency.
Meanwhile, in Taraba State, preparations are underway for the Karim Lamido I State Constituency by-election, which became necessary following the resignation of Hon. Mike Dio-Jen after his appointment as Commissioner for Tertiary Education. At Polling Unit 010 Sada, located in Jen town, voting has been delayed due to a malfunctioning BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) machine, leaving voters waiting for accreditation to begin.
INEC has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process in all affected constituencies, with a substantial security presence deployed across the country.
