Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Delta bye-elections offer vital lessons for general election – INEC chairman

As preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has described the bye-elections conducted across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as essential operational benchmarks for evaluating the nation’s electoral infrastructure.

During remarks delivered on Saturday while directly overseeing operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, underscored that no electoral contest should be regarded as insignificant.

The commission conducted four significant legislative bye-elections in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State; Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State; Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.

Amupitan, who maintained that every off-cycle election functioned as a vital preparatory exercise for nationwide elections, stated: “These four bye-elections furnish indispensable operational insights for the Commission as we methodically establish our strategic direction toward the 2027 General Election.”

“We must refrain from the inclination to characterise any exercise as merely a routine bye-election. Every election constitutes a fundamental element of our comprehensive preparations for the 2027 General Election, enabling us to consistently review our logistics infrastructure, validate our technological systems, and assess administrative field preparedness,” he said.

The INEC chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management personnel, supervised the bye-elections as operational reports were transmitted from field locations.

Amupitan assured Nigerians of the Commission’s commitment to preserving electoral integrity, emphasising that operational challenges identified prior to polling were promptly addressed and rectified.

“Our fundamental responsibility in the Situation Room encompasses monitoring and preventive crisis management.

“Any administrative or field difficulties that emerged before election day were effectively managed by the Commission at their inception,” the Chairman stated.