INEC Presents Certificates of Return to By-Election Winners

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday presented Certificates of Return to candidates who emerged victorious in the June 20, 2026 by-elections conducted in Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo, Kano and Kebbi states.

The presentation took place as the electoral body formally concluded the electoral process for the affected constituencies.

The certificates were handed over on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. During the ceremony, the beneficiaries were urged to remain committed to the interests of the people who elected them and to focus on effective representation in their respective constituencies.

INEC also disclosed that Certificates of Return would be presented to winners of other recent elections, including the Zuru State Constituency poll in Kebbi State and the Ekiti State governorship election.

The by-elections, held across different parts of the country, produced victories for both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), although the APC recorded more wins in the contests. The elections were conducted to fill vacant legislative seats at both the national and state levels.

In Enugu State, APC candidate Ikeje Asogwa secured victory in the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election. In Kebbi State, Rabiu Garba Aiki of the APC won the Zuru State Constituency seat in the House of Assembly. The APC also recorded success in Kano State, where Rabiu Shuaibu emerged winner of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election.

In Rivers State, the PDP retained its hold on the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat, with Olaka Nwogu emerging victorious in the poll. The APC also secured the Ondo South Senatorial District seat through its candidate, Dayo Faduyile.

Similarly, Danladi Envulu-Anza of the APC was declared winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election after polling 45,362 votes to defeat his opponents.

The electoral commission noted that the presentation of Certificates of Return marks the final stage before the elected officials assume their legislative responsibilities. The winners are expected to take up their positions and begin representing their constituents in the relevant legislative chambers.

The June 20 elections strengthened the APC’s presence in several legislative seats across the country, while the PDP maintained its control of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District. However, some of the polls attracted criticism from political parties and observers, who raised concerns over alleged cases of voter intimidation, violence and other electoral issues.

Meanwhile, in the Ekiti State governorship election conducted alongside some of the polls, Governor Biodun Oyebanji secured another term in office. His victory made him the first governor in the state’s democratic history since 1999 to achieve consecutive re-election.

With the issuance of the Certificates of Return, attention is now expected to shift to the activities of the newly elected lawmakers and officials as they prepare to assume office and begin serving their constituencies.