By-Election Winners Receive Certificates of Return From INEC

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

The certificates were handed over on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu.

The development was disclosed in a statement published on INEC’s official X account on Tuesday.

Speaking during the presentation, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the elected officials and reminded them of their responsibility to serve their constituents with dedication and integrity.

She emphasized that their foremost duty is to provide effective representation and address the needs of the people who entrusted them with their mandates.

“The most important responsibility is to represent the people well,” she stated.

She further disclosed that Certificates of Return would also be issued to the winners of the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State and the Ekiti State governorship election.

Results released by INEC showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded significant gains in the bye-elections, securing victories in Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano and Kebbi states. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, successfully retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.

The outcomes strengthened the APC’s presence in legislative positions across the country, although some of the polls were accompanied by reports of voter intimidation, electoral malpractice and isolated incidents of violence.

In Enugu State, APC candidate Ikeje Asogwa won the Enugu North Senatorial District bye-election. In Kebbi, Rabiu Garba Aiki of the APC emerged victorious in the Zuru State Constituency election to the State House of Assembly.

Similarly, Rabiu Shuaibu of the APC secured victory in the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye-election in Kano State.

In Rivers State, PDP candidate Olaka Nwogu retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat, while APC candidate Dayo Faduyile won the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election.

For the Nasarawa North Senatorial District contest, APC candidate Danladi Envulu-Anza was declared winner after polling 45,362 votes.

Meanwhile, in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji secured a second term in office after winning the governorship election. His victory makes him the first governor since 1999 to achieve consecutive re-election in the state’s democratic history.