From Staff Writer
Millions of Nigerians across seven federal constituencies remain without representation in the National Assembly, months after vacancies were declared. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to organise by-elections to fill two vacant senatorial seats and five seats in the House of Representatives — a delay that has attracted widespread criticism from political stakeholders, civil society groups and concerned citizens.
The vacancies resulted from the deaths of five lawmakers and the transition of two others into executive roles — one as governor and the other as deputy governor. Under Sections 76(2) and 116(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC is required to conduct by-elections within 90 days of a seat becoming vacant. However, that timeline has long passed, with no concrete date yet announced for the polls.
The Senate is currently without representation for: Anambra South, following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (APC) in September 2024, Edo Central, after Senator Monday Okpebholo (APC) became Governor of Edo State following the off-cycle elections in the same month.
In the House of Representatives, the following constituencies remain without legislators: Garki/Babura (Jigawa State) – Rep. Isa Dogonyaro died in May 2024, Ibadan North (Oyo State) – Rep. Olaide Akinremi passed away in July 2024, Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna State) – Rep. Ekene Adams also died in July 2024, Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North (Ogun State) – Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga died in January 2025, Ovia (Edo State) – Rep. Dennis Idahosa vacated his seat after becoming Deputy Governor in September 2024.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has since declared the senatorial seats vacant, a move that should have triggered INEC’s constitutional obligation to hold by-elections.
Speaking to Newsmen, Mr Timi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, attributed the delay to financial constraints:
“INEC will conduct all outstanding by-elections in due course. We have been hampered by lack of funds. But we are confident that all funding issues will soon be resolved.”
Some INEC officials have also pointed to persistent security concerns, particularly in the North-West, as a barrier to immediate action. However, critics argue that these explanations no longer justify the Commission’s inaction.
In affected communities, frustration continues to mount. In Kajuru, Kaduna State, local leader Benjamin Yuhana Maigari said: “We feel forgotten, neglected, and unrepresented.”
In Edo State’s Ovia Federal Constituency, where representation has been absent for over 150 days, Dr Jerry Osamede described the situation as “a democratic failure”, adding: “Who speaks for us in the National Assembly? Who tracks our constituency development funds?”
Former Edo lawmaker Victor Edoro raised questions about accountability: “Where does the salary and the money for constituency projects go?”
Political leaders across party lines have condemned INEC’s delay. PDP Secretary in Edo State, Hilary Otsu, called it “a bad omen for democracy,” while Acting APC Chairman in the State, Jarret Tenabe, described the failure as a “breach of constitutional and democratic principles”.
Veteran politician Chief Chekwas Okorie was more direct: “The National Assembly should have called INEC to order. The constituents are not being represented, and that is a failure of both the electoral body and the legislature.”
Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, said the delay points to deeper structural problems: “Delays in formal vacancy declarations and funding bottlenecks show that structural reforms are necessary.”
Academic and governance expert Prof Chris Kwaja recommended legal reforms to establish a fixed timeframe for declaring legislative vacancies, to prevent undue delays from presiding officers.
The protracted absence of elected officials in seven federal constituencies — some for over eight months — is raising concerns about Nigeria’s democratic health. Analysts warn that the situation risks deepening public mistrust in electoral institutions and diminishing citizen engagement.
With the country already grappling with issues of voter apathy and weak institutional trust following the 2023 general elections, many believe that INEC must act swiftly to restore faith in the system and fulfil its constitutional obligations.
Until then, the affected constituents remain voiceless in the country’s legislative process — a glaring gap in the nation’s democratic framework.
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