The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled a series of by-elections for Saturday, August 16, 2025, to fill vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies across 12 states. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during a meeting with political party leaders in Abuja on Thursday. He explained that the vacancies arose from resignations, deaths, and court-ordered annulments.

Yakubu said, these elections will take place in 16 constituencies involving two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies, and nine State Assembly seats.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, urged political stakeholders and INEC to prioritise rebuilding trust in the country’s electoral system. Speaking on behalf of leaders of political parties, Dantalle highlighted the critical role IPAC plays in ensuring electoral integrity and political stability.

He acknowledged improvements in recent elections but expressed concern over consistently low voter turnout, which he attributed to public mistrust in the electoral process, fear of violence, and disillusionment with candidates who fail to fulfill campaign promises.