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To issue certificate of return to winners
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Thursday, August 21, for the rerun of the inconclusive by-election held in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency of Zamfara State.
The commission also disclosed that it has declared Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) as the winner of Enugu South 1 State Constituency in Enugu State, while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election in Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.
INEC, in a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced that those who emerged victorious in the bye-elections held last weekend will be issued their Certificates of Return at its national headquarters and state offices on Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, respectively.
Explaining the Zamfara inconclusive bye-election, the commission noted: “In spite of the prevailing security situation, 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 Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected by voters.
“The margin of lead was 1,662. Therefore, based on Section 24(3) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, election must be held in the affected polling units to determine a winner. Consequently, the commission has fixed Thursday 21st August 2025 for election in the five Polling Units,” it noted.
On the declaration of the winners in the bye-elections held in Enugu and Kano, the commission 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 LP was declared winner while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the APC won the election in Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.
“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 Ovia North East and Ovia South West Federal Constituency 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, August 21, 2025. For State Houses of Assembly, the Certificates of Return will be presented to members-elect by the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in our State offices on Friday, August 22, 2025. The constituencies are Ganye State Constituency of Adamawa State, Onitsha North 1 State Constituency of Anambra State, Basawa and Zaria/Kewaye State Constituencies of Kaduna State, Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituencies of Kano State, Okura State Constituency of Kogi State, Munya State Constituency of Niger State, and Karim Lamido 1 State Constituency of Taraba State,” INEC announced in the statement.