The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that only the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) will participate in the upcoming by-election for the Zuru Constituency seat in the Kebbi State House of Assembly.
The by-election is scheduled to hold on June 20, 2026, following the death of the constituency’s representative, Usman Muhammad, who passed away on April 6, 2026.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kebbi State, Abubakar Dambo, said only the APC and LP fulfilled the commission’s requirements for candidate nomination and submission.
According to Dambo, INEC had fixed May 22 to May 26, 2026, for political parties to conduct primary elections and submit the names of their candidates in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“INEC outlined 22nd–26th May for political parties to democratically nominate candidates for the elections as required by Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026.
“At the expiration of the deadline, only the APC and the LP met INEC requirements for submission of candidates,” he said.
He added that the two political parties are expected to submit the names of their polling agents no later than June 10, 2026.
Dambo further disclosed that electioneering campaigns would commence immediately and end on June 18, 2026, in accordance with the electoral timetable.
“Consequently, only the two parties will participate in the by-elections, while they are required to submit the names of their polling agents no later than the 10th of June 2026.
“Campaigning begins the same day and terminates on the 18th of June 2026, while elections will take place on the 20th,” he added.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner also revealed that the existing voter register would be used for the by-election and appealed to voters, political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to cooperate with the commission to ensure a peaceful and credible exercise.
He noted that the final results of the election would be officially declared by the Returning Officer assigned to the by-election.
The Zuru Constituency seat became vacant following the death of Usman Muhammad, who served as Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly before his passing.
