INEC set to conduct party primaries in restored state constituencies in Warri, others

From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct political party primaries in the newly restored state constituencies of Aniocha North II, Ika North East II, Sapele II, Ethiope West II, Warri South West II and Warri North II in Delta State.

INEC will also conduct primaries in Benue State across the Nyamatsor, Ukum Afia, Konshisha III (Shangev-Tiev), Makurdi III (South East) and Gboko III state constituencies.

The commission will hold further primaries in Kogi State for the Adavi East, Eika, Ajaokuta North, Bassa-Komu, Dekina Town & District, Ijumu II, Kabba-Bunu II, Koton Karfe II, Igalaogwa and Ogugu State Constituencies.

In Jigawa State, a primary election will be held for the Aujara State Constituency.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday night.

He said the elections would be held pursuant to court judgements directing the restoration of several suppressed constituencies in Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi states.

Haruna stated that the exercise is in line with the powers conferred on the commission by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.

According to the statement: “To facilitate the participation of the restored Constituencies in the 2027 General Election, particularly with respect to the nomination of candidates by Political Parties, the Commission has fixed the 16th-25th June, 2026 for the conduct of Political Party Primaries in the restored Constituencies.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, all other timelines and activities contained in the already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election shall apply to the restored Constituencies.”

“In light of the peculiar nature of this arrangement, Political Parties are requested to submit Notices of Political Party Primaries to the Commission prior to the scheduled date for the Primaries.”

“The Commission remains committed to ensuring credible, inclusive and transparent electoral processes,” the statement concluded.