BREAKING: Only APC, Labour Party Eligible for Election — INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that only the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) have been cleared to participate in the forthcoming State House of Assembly by-election in Kebbi State.
The by-election, scheduled for June 20, 2026, will be held in the Zuru State Constituency following the death of the former lawmaker representing the area, Usman Muhammad Zuru, who also served as Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly before his passing earlier this year.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kebbi State, Abubakar Sarkin Pawa Dambo, as part of preparations for the election.
According to Dambo, political parties were given between May 22 and May 26, 2026, to conduct their primaries and submit the names of their candidates in accordance with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2026.
He disclosed that only the APC and Labour Party fulfilled all the requirements within the stipulated period, making them the only parties eligible to contest the by-election.
“Consequently, only the two parties will participate in the by-election,” Dambo said.
The REC further directed both parties to submit the names of their polling agents on or before June 10, 2026, as part of the commission’s preparations for the exercise.
Falana, Coalition of Groups Set June 12 for Nationwide Protest Over Insecurity, Hardship
INEC also unveiled the official timetable for the election, stating that campaigns commenced on June 10 and will end on June 18, two days before voters head to the polls.
The commission urged political parties and candidates to abide strictly by the campaign schedule and conduct their activities peacefully throughout the electoral process.
Providing further details on the level of preparedness, Dambo said the election would be conducted using the existing voters’ register and assured stakeholders that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure a credible and hitch-free exercise.
The by-election will take place across the constituency’s 10 wards, including six wards located within Zuru metropolis. INEC has designated 200 polling units for the exercise.
The commission also revealed that 109,292 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, while 822 ad hoc personnel have been trained and deployed to handle voting and result collation.
Dambo appealed to voters, political parties, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with electoral officials and contribute to a peaceful and orderly conduct of the poll.
INEC reiterated its commitment to delivering a transparent, credible and violence-free election, stressing that all stakeholders have a role to play in safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process in the constituency.
