A total of seventy-four candidates are set to partake in the nine by-elections scheduled to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission on February 3.
The need for these by-elections arose following the unfortunate demise of several members in both national and state Houses of Assembly.
By-elections are slated for two senatorial districts, namely Ebonyi South and Yobe East.
Additionally, elections are scheduled for four federal constituencies: 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.
State assembly seats in Guma I (Benue), Chibok (Borno), and Chikun (Kaduna) will also witness contested elections.
Notably, eight out of the 74 candidates vying for the vacant positions are female, and among the ten candidates competing for the only vacant seat in Chikun, Kaduna State, three are female.
In total, there are seven candidates vying for positions in Borno, nine in Kebbi, and 11 in Lagos State. Both Ondo and Ebonyi states have eight candidates each.
Meanwhile, Benue and Yobe each have five candidates, and Taraba has 11 candidates, with no female candidate featured in these three states.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially released the personal details and final list of candidates in the affected state offices on Wednesday.
Mr. Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, mentioned that the list had also been published in the relevant constituencies, aligning with the provisions of the Electoral Act (2022).
“INEC appeals to Nigerians to scrutinise the personal particulars of the candidates.
“Any aspirant who participated in his or her party primary election with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by any candidate is false can challenge the nomination.
“Such aspirant is free to file a suit at a Federal High Court as provided for in the Electoral Act,’’ he said.