Enugu, June 1, 2026 – Stakeholders across Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states have expressed divergent views on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to conduct by-elections in vacant legislative seats ahead of the 2027 general elections, with many insisting that the exercise remains necessary to uphold constitutional provisions and democratic representation.
The discussions followed the electoral commission’s plan to fill vacant positions in several states while also preparing for the off-cycle governorship election in Ekiti State.
The by-elections will cover vacant senatorial seats in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers and Ondo states, as well as a House of Representatives seat in Kano and a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi.
In Enugu State, political analyst Bennet Edeh maintained that the constitution compels INEC to organise by-elections within 90 days of a seat becoming vacant due to death, recall, resignation or other circumstances.
According to him, the electoral body has no discretion to ignore such vacancies unless the relevant constitutional provisions are amended.
He, however, acknowledged concerns over the financial implications of conducting elections shortly before a general election, suggesting that lawmakers consider constitutional amendments that would allow vacancies occurring less than one year before nationwide elections to be merged with the general electoral process.
Edeh argued that such reforms could significantly reduce spending on logistics, election materials and temporary personnel while avoiding situations where newly elected lawmakers serve only a few months before returning to campaign for fresh mandates.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria in Enugu State, Ambrose Igboke, defended the planned elections, stressing that citizens in affected constituencies deserve uninterrupted representation.
He noted that with nearly a year remaining before the inauguration of the next legislative assemblies in 2027, denying constituents representation would undermine democratic principles.
Igboke further argued that democracy thrives on continuous representation and that budgetary allocations for elections already account for such constitutional responsibilities.
Former Chief Judge of Anambra State and presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Justice Peter Umeadi, also backed compliance with constitutional provisions, saying institutions must operate within established legal frameworks regardless of prevailing sentiments.
Drawing an analogy from the famous Oguta Lake in Imo State, he observed that law and equity may flow alongside each other but do not always produce identical outcomes, making adherence to legal procedures essential.
Prof. Gerald Ezirim of the Department of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, described the proposed by-elections as both necessary and justifiable.
The political scientist argued that six months is a substantial period in governance and that communities should not be left without a legislative voice for such a duration.
Similarly, legal practitioner and rights advocate Dan Ugwu insisted that democracy discourages any form of political vacuum.
He contended that constituencies lacking representation for several months risk losing opportunities and development benefits, making by-elections an important democratic mechanism regardless of their proximity to general elections.
In Ebonyi State, lawyer Emmanuel Ekpeta said vacancies resulting from death, resignation or recall must be filled in line with the law, noting that the long-term benefits of preserving democratic institutions outweigh the associated costs.
He stressed that spending public funds to maintain constitutional order was preferable to allowing representation gaps.
For his part, Commissioner Two of the Ebonyi State Local Government Service Commission, Monday Nwigbo, described by-elections as appropriate whenever circumstances create vacancies and called for credible and transparent elections in 2027.
In Anambra State, veteran journalist and former state chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chris Elumunoh, acknowledged that the conduct of by-elections is constitutionally required to prevent prolonged vacancies in legislative offices.
However, he questioned whether elections held only months before the end of a legislative term would deliver significant benefits, suggesting that national interest should also be considered.
Awka-based lawyer and public affairs analyst Maxwell Ezeude shared similar reservations, arguing that the enormous financial cost of organising elections at a time of economic hardship may outweigh the short-term benefits.
He urged affected constituencies to exercise patience until the general elections, describing last-minute by-elections as an inefficient use of scarce public resources.
On the other hand, journalist Okechukwu Obenta and Daluchukwu Chiadikobi maintained that failure to conduct the elections would amount to a denial of democratic rights for affected communities.
Also weighing in, President of the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre, Chris Azor, said that while the constitution empowers INEC to fill vacant legislative seats within stipulated timelines, broader questions about cost-effectiveness and national priorities remain valid.
According to him, conducting elections for positions with only a few months left in office imposes significant financial and security demands on the country while potentially increasing political tension.
Azor therefore advocated electoral reforms that balance constitutional obligations with practical governance considerations, arguing that public interest, prudent spending and democratic accountability should all be factored into future decisions on by-elections.
He added that while compliance with the law remains important, reforms should ensure that electoral processes reflect both constitutional requirements and the realities of governance.