Abuja, May 15, 2026 A political scholar, Dr. Lawrence Odeh, has described the planned by-elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduled for June 20 to fill five vacant National Assembly seats as a constitutional requirement aimed at sustaining democratic representation.
Odeh, of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Benson Idahosa University, Benin, Edo State, made this known in an interview in Abuja on Friday.
He said concerns about conducting the polls close to the 2027 general elections were understandable, but stressed that the process is in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026.
According to him, existing laws clearly stipulate that any legislative vacancy arising before the end of a four-year tenure—whether through death, resignation, recall or other circumstances—must be filled through a by-election.
He explained that the constitution recognises elections as the only legitimate means of filling vacant legislative positions.
He further argued that leaving constituencies without representation until the next general election would amount to disenfranchising citizens in key national decision-making processes.
Odeh noted that between now and the 2027 elections, the National Assembly will continue to consider important national issues, making representation at all levels essential.
He added that political parties do not have the authority to unilaterally replace lawmakers whose seats become vacant before the end of their tenure.
According to him, once elected, legislators become representatives of their constituencies and the nation as a whole, bound by the Constitution rather than party allegiance.
He stressed that filling such vacancies must be handled by relevant public institutions, including the leadership of the National Assembly and INEC, rather than internal party mechanisms.
Odeh called on stakeholders to support INEC in conducting a credible, free and fair process, noting that timely representation is crucial for effective governance and inclusive policymaking.
He warned that failure to conduct the by-elections would undermine constitutional provisions and deny affected constituencies their right to participate in national affairs.