ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially scheduled Saturday, September 19, 2026, for five legislative by-elections across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, and Delta states to fill vacant seats in the National Assembly and state houses of assembly.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Tunde Oketola, confirmed that the upcoming polls will cover one federal constituency and four state assembly constituencies, with voting slated to run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at designated polling units.
The legislative vacancies arose following a combination of lawmaker deaths, resignations, and political defections across the affected geopolitical zones.
Affected Constituencies & Underlying Causes
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Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency (Gombe State): The federal seat became vacant following the death of lawmaker Yaya Bauchi Tongo in June 2026.
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Dawakin Kudu State Constituency (Kano State): The seat was vacated after former state representative Rabiu Shuaibu resigned to contest and win the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat.
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Sakwa & Disina State Constituencies (Bauchi State): The Sakwa seat fell vacant following the death of lawmaker Wanzam Zaki, while the Disina seat was vacated after representative Saleh Hodi resigned to run for a local government chairmanship position.
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Udu State Constituency (Delta State): The seat was declared vacant by the Delta State House of Assembly following the defection of Collins Egbetamah from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
