The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the list of candidates cleared to participate in the June 20 legislative by-elections across the country, with candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) notably absent from the final list.
According to the list signed by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, a total of 20 candidates were cleared to contest the various vacant legislative seats.
For the Zuru State Constituency by-election in Kebbi State, INEC cleared Garba Rabiu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Aliyu Galadima Muhammed of the Labour Party (LP).
In Rivers State, Osarosaka Erewari (APC), Sam Barikpoa (LP), and Nwogu Johnson (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) were cleared to contest the Rivers South State Constituency seat, which became vacant following the death of Douglas Beeka of the Action Alliance (AA).
For the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election, former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku (LP), Emmanuel Ombugadu (PDP), Halilu Envulu-Aza (APC), and John Araneshri of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were cleared by the commission.
Candidates approved for the Ondo North Senatorial District seat, vacated by Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, include Adesanya Olaoluwa (Action Peoples Party), Faduyile Adedayo (APC), Akinwunmi Harrison (Allied Peoples Movement), and Funso Clement (Boot Party).
In Enugu North Senatorial District, which became vacant following the death of the sitting senator, INEC cleared Asogwa Israel (APC), Anele Chukwuma (Boot Party), and Ezeme Chika (PDP) for the contest.
Similarly, in Kano State, Rabiu Shuaibu (APC), Lawal Garba (APM), and Abubakar Mohammed (LP) were cleared to contest the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, INEC has dismissed reports claiming that it had begun issuing access codes to political parties for the upload of candidates’ details ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission’s revised timetable indicates that political parties are expected to begin collecting access codes on June 27 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and on July 18 for governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
The controversy arose after PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jagunda Mohammed, reportedly claimed that INEC had issued an access code to the faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, a development he said confirmed the legitimacy of that leadership.
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP protested the alleged move, insisting it would amount to recognition of a rival leadership.
Reacting to the reports, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, denied that any party had been granted access.
“We have not yet issued any access code to any political party. In fact, we have scheduled a meeting with all parties tomorrow at 11 a.m.,” Haruna said.
In a separate development, the Labour Party has dragged INEC before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the exclusion of its candidate from the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.
According to a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the Labour Party duly notified INEC on May 11 of its primary election, which was held on May 25 to select a candidate for the poll.
The party said Ambassador Simon Ejike Eze emerged as its consensus candidate during the exercise, which attracted delegates and members from the six local government areas of the district.
However, the Labour Party alleged that despite complying with all electoral requirements, it was denied access to INEC’s nomination portal to upload its candidate’s particulars before the June 2 deadline.
The party further claimed that repeated protests and official correspondence with the commission failed to resolve the issue, forcing it to seek judicial intervention.
It also expressed concern over reports that INEC’s Head of Elections and Party Monitoring in Enugu State declined to submit a report on the primary election because he was reportedly out of town and unable to monitor the exercise.
Describing the explanation as unacceptable, the party argued that political parties should not be penalised for the inability of electoral officials to carry out their statutory responsibilities.
The Labour Party maintained that the Electoral Act only requires political parties to notify INEC of their primaries and insisted that the validity of its primary election cannot be invalidated by the commission’s failure to monitor the process.
While reaffirming confidence in INEC’s leadership and the judiciary, the party called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the officials involved and urged its members to remain calm as the court considers the matter.
