The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to present Certificates of Return to all candidates who emerged victorious in the recently concluded National Assembly bye-elections held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The formal presentation ceremony will occur on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
In addition, INEC revealed that the inconclusive State Assembly election in Zamfara State will be finalised on the same day.
The election was declared inconclusive after security challenges prevented the Returning Officer from declaring a winner in the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency.
According to INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, a supplementary election will be conducted in five polling units across two wards, where 3,572 registered voters were affected.
Out of this number, 3,265 voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Since the lead margin in the previous results stood at 1,662 votes, the Commission, in line with Section 24(3) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, concluded that a rerun must be held to determine the final winner.
The supplementary polls are therefore scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Providing further details, INEC noted that a total of 16 bye-elections and two court-ordered reruns were conducted nationwide on August 16.
These elections covered two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies, and nine State Assembly Constituencies.
Out of these, returns were successfully made in two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies, and eight State Assembly Constituencies.
The Commission also confirmed that the two rerun elections ordered by the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals in Enugu and Kano States were finally concluded after previous attempts had been disrupted by violence and thuggery.
In Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Mr. Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) was declared the winner, while in Kano State, Mr. Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency.
In compliance with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC further disclosed that Certificates of Return will be issued to the Senators-elect representing Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, as well as to the newly elected members of the House of Representatives from the following constituencies:
Ovie North East and Ovie South West Federal Constituency (Edo State)
Babura/Garki Federal Constituency (Jigawa State)
Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency (Kaduna State)
Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency (Ogun State)
Ibadan North Federal Constituency (Oyo State)
INEC also clarified that Certificates of Return for members-elect of the State Houses of Assembly will be presented by the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the various states on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The affected State Constituencies where members-elect will receive their certificates include:
Ganye Constituency (Adamawa State)
Onitsha North 1 Constituency (Anambra State)
Basawa and Zaria/Kewaye Constituencies (Kaduna State)
Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa Constituencies (Kano State)
Okura Constituency (Kogi State)
Munya Constituency (Niger State)
Karim Lamido 1 Constituency (Taraba State)
Despite the security concerns in some parts of the country, INEC emphasised its commitment to ensuring the credibility and conclusion of the electoral process, noting that the successful conduct of the elections reflects the Commission’s resolve to uphold democratic principles.