By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally presented Certificates of Return to seven winners of the National Assembly bye-elections conducted across the country on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The brief but significant ceremony was held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, where INEC National Commissioners handed over the certificates to the newly elected lawmakers. With their victories now officially validated, the winners will take up their seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, representing diverse constituencies across Nigeria.
National Commissioner supervising the South East, Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu, presented the Certificate of Return to Mr. Nwachukwu Emmanuel Chibuzor of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who emerged victorious in the keenly contested Anambra South Senatorial District bye-election.
In the South South, National Commissioner, Professor Rhoda Gumus, presented Certificates of Return to two candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ikpea Joseph Igiagbe, Senator-elect for Edo Central, and Igbinedion Omosede Gabriella, elected to represent Ovia Southwest Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
From the North West, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, National Commissioner supervising the zone, presented the Certificate of Return to Mukhtar Rabiu Garki of the APC, winner of the Bubura/Garki Federal Constituency seat in Jigawa State.
In Kaduna State, Malam Kudu Haruna presented the Certificate of Return to Joseph Bagudu, also of the APC, who was declared winner of the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election.
Similarly, National Commissioner supervising the South West, Professor Kunle Ajayi, presented Certificates of Return to two APC winners: Elegbeji Adesola Yetunde Ayoola, who will represent Ikene/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency in Ogun State, and Oyekunle Fola Sunday, elected to represent Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State.
INEC further disclosed that winners of the State Constituency bye-elections held on the same day will receive their Certificates of Return from the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in their respective states on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The presentation of Certificates of Return marks the final step in the bye-election process, paving the way for the new lawmakers to be sworn in and begin their legislative duties.
