INEC Unveils Comprehensive List of Candidates for February Bye-Elections

By Iyojo Ameh

In preparation for the forthcoming by-elections scheduled for February 3, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the list of candidates.

These by-elections were necessitated by circumstances such as the demise or resignation of members from both the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Covering nine states and comprising two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies, the electoral process is set to take place in areas including Ebonyi South, Yobe East, Kebbi State, Lagos State, Ondo State, and Taraba State, among others.

The timetable, schedule of activities, and the final list of candidates, along with their personal particulars, have been made available in INEC state offices and relevant constituencies.

National Commissioner Sam Olumekun urged Nigerians to thoroughly scrutinize the personal details, including Form EC9 and academic credentials, of the candidates.

Emphasizing transparency, he highlighted that individuals with reasonable grounds to suspect false information provided by a candidate during party primaries can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court, as outlined in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

It’s crucial to note that this publication exclusively pertains to the upcoming bye-elections, involving fresh elections with candidates nominated through party primaries.

For re-run elections occurring on the same day, the list and personal particulars of candidates were published before the 2023 General Election, as they are not open to new or disqualified candidates.