By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 20, 2026, for the Ondo South Senatorial by-election and other legislative by-elections across six states, to be conducted alongside the Ekiti State governorship election.
The Ondo South seat became vacant following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
INEC said the off-cycle elections will also include senatorial by-elections in Enugu, Nasarawa and Rivers states, as well as a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi State and a House of Representatives seat in Kano State.
INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a brief ceremony held to receive a newly sworn-in National Commissioner, Jamila Malafa.
Amupitan said the commission is preparing for multiple elections scheduled for the same day.
“We are going into some off-cycle elections very soon. The Ekiti State Governorship Election is scheduled for June 20, 2026. On the same date, the commission will conduct by-elections to fill vacant seats,” Yakubu said.
He explained that the vacancies are spread across different parts of the country.
“The senatorial seats declared vacant in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers and Ondo states will be filled, alongside the Kebbi State House of Assembly seat and the House of Representatives seat in Kano State,” he added.
Amupitan also welcomed Malafa into the commission, describing her as a seasoned professional with experience in both military service and electoral administration.
He noted her previous involvement with INEC, particularly in logistics, as well as her role as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy.
Reaffirming the commission’s mandate, Amupitan stressed INEC’s commitment to credible and transparent elections across all levels of government.
“Our responsibility is clear. We are committed to conducting elections into the offices of the President, National Assembly, Governors, State Houses of Assembly and Area Councils credibly and transparently,” he said.
In her remarks, Malafa expressed appreciation for her appointment and pledged to contribute to the commission’s preparations for forthcoming elections.
“I am glad to be here and I thank you for the warm reception. I look forward to working with everyone for the development and stability of our country and for the success of forthcoming elections,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by national commissioners, senior officials of the commission, the Secretary to the Commission, the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, and family members of the new commissioner.