The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that Certificates of Return will be handed to candidates who won in the recently concluded 16 by-elections and two re-run polls conducted across the country on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to INEC, the polls covered two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly constituencies. In line with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the commission noted that the certificates would serve as the official conclusion of the electoral process.
The event for senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives will be held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 3 p.m.
Olumekun stated, “In compliance with the provision of Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, Certificates of Return will be presented to the Senators-elect for Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, as well as the five members of House of Representatives-elect for Ovie North East and Ovie South West Federal Constituencies of Edo State, Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State, and Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State. The occasion will take place at the INEC National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, 21st August 2025 at 3.00 pm.”
For the state assemblies, Resident Electoral Commissioners will present certificates to members-elect at state INEC offices on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11 a.m.
The constituencies include Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North 1 (Anambra), Basawa and Zaria/Kewaye (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano), Okura (Kogi), Munya (Niger), and Karim Lamido 1 (Taraba).
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INEC reported that results were declared in all constituencies except Kaura Namoda South in Zamfara State, which was declared inconclusive due to disruptions.
Although voting was held, violence and emergencies in five polling units prevented the Returning Officer from making a declaration. With 3,572 registered voters in the affected units—3,265 of whom collected their PVCs—the margin of lead stood at 1,662 votes.
The commission added, “Despite the prevailing security situation, an election was held in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency of Zamfara State. However, the Returning Officer reported that he was unable to make a declaration because of violence/emergency in five Polling Units across two Registration Areas/Wards with a total of 3,572 registered voters, out of which 3,265 Permanent Voters Cards were collected by voters. The margin of lead was 1,662. Therefore, based on Section 24(3) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, an election must be held in the affected polling units to determine a winner. Consequently, the commission has fixed Thursday, August 21, 2025, for election in the five Polling Units: Shiyar Magaji/Kofar Hamza; Tukasu/Sabuwar Kasuwa; Kofar Fada/ Shiyar Fada; Alko/Shiyar Tudu; and SH/Nufawa/Kofar M. D. Nuhu.”
Meanwhile, the re-run elections ordered by tribunals in Enugu and Kano States were successfully concluded. Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party won the Enugu South 1 Constituency seat, while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress was declared winner in Ghari/Tsanyawa Constituency of Kano State.
Olumekun explained, “Two re-run elections by order of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals were held in Enugu and Kano States. After previous disruptions of the elections in the two States by violence and thuggery, the elections have now been concluded. Declaration and return were made by the Returning Officers. For the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party was declared the winner, while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress won the election in Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.”
