The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday presented certificates of return to candidates who emerged victorious in the June 20, 2026 by-elections.
The Commission also called on the newly elected lawmakers to provide purposeful representation to their constituents.
The certificates were handed over to senators-elect from Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts, as well as the winner of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat in Kano State.
However, the senator-elect for Ondo South, Prof. Francis Dayo Faduyile, was absent from the ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the INEC Chairman, National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu commended political parties and stakeholders for contributing to the peaceful conduct of the polls.
She said the conclusion of the by-elections enabled the commission to formally present Certificates of Return to candidates declared winners.
“Our expectation is that those elected will justify the confidence reposed in them by their constituents through quality representation,” she said.
In Enugu North Senatorial District, APC candidate Ikeje Asogwa Israel received his certificate after securing victory in the by-election conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Okey Ezea in November 2025.
According to results announced by Returning Officer Prof. Christian Ezeibe, Asogwa polled 162,360 votes, defeating PDP candidate Nestor Ezeme, who garnered 9,299 votes.
For Nasarawa North Senatorial District, APC’s Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza was presented with his certificate following his victory in the contest triggered by the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki. Returning Officer Prof. Aminu Ali declared that Envulu-Anza scored 45,362 votes, ahead of Labour Party candidate Labaran Maku with 12,931 votes and PDP’s Emmanuel David Ombugadu, who secured 11,570 votes.
In Ondo South Senatorial District, APC candidate Prof. Francis Dayo Faduyile was declared winner after polling 68,474 votes to defeat Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement, who received 1,411 votes.
The election became necessary after former senator Jimoh Ibrahim was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Despite his victory, Faduyile was not present during the certificate presentation ceremony.
Similarly, PDP candidate Olaka Nwogu Johnson received his Certificate of Return as winner of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election.
INEC declared him victorious with 47,961 votes, far ahead of APC candidate Osar Erewari, who polled 1,647 votes.
The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Barry Mpigi in February 2026.
In Kano State, APC candidate Rabiu Shuaibu was presented with his certificate after emerging winner of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election.
He secured 35,356 votes to defeat Lawal Garba Haruna of the Allied Peoples Movement, who scored 268 votes, and Labour Party candidate Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad, who polled 98 votes.
The election was held to replace the late Muhammad Danjuma-Hassan.
Agbamuche-Mbu disclosed that Certificates of Return would also be presented to winners of the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State and the Ekiti governorship election, both conducted on June 20.
The ceremony was attended by several national commissioners, including Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Ken Ikiagwu, Dr Baba Gbila, Prof. Abdullahi Zoro and Prof. Rhoda Gumus.
INEC reiterated that beyond electoral victories, its foremost expectation remains effective and responsive representation that reflects the interests and aspirations of the electorate.
