Olusegun Adeyemo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday commenced the movement of sensitive election materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, to Remo North, Ikenne, and Sagamu Local Government Areas of Ogun State ahead of Saturday’s by-election for the Remo Federal Constituency.
Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Feyijimi, disclosed that 2,445 trained INEC officials had been deployed for the exercise. She warned all officers against electoral malpractice, stressing that anyone caught violating the law would face severe sanctions.
“We are committed to transparency. No INEC staff caught in any infraction will be defended. The National Chairman has made it clear—anyone who violates the law will not be spared,” she said.
The inspection and movement of the sensitive materials were conducted in the presence of security agencies and representatives of the three participating political parties—Olusegun Bankole (APC), Afolabi Orekoya (PDP), and Ayodeji Daodu (Accord Party). Mrs. Feyijimi noted that non-sensitive materials had been distributed earlier, while the sensitive items were delivered in full public view to promote openness.
INEC also confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices are ready for deployment, with backups on standby. Officers, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), have been engaging with residents to encourage voter participation. The by-election will hold from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with voters in the queue at closing time allowed to cast their ballots.
The Remo Federal Constituency seat became vacant following the death of Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Otunba Adewunmi Onanuga (“Ijaya”), on January 15, 2025.
In Oyo State, preparations are also in top gear for Saturday’s bye-election in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency, necessitated by the death of Hon. Musiliu Akinremi on July 10, 2024.
The state REC, Dr. Adeniran Tella, announced restrictions on movement within affected areas during the election. Border areas under the restriction include Sango–Eleyele–Apete–Ijokodo, U.I/Agbowo/Agbowo Express, and Beere/Oje/Odoye, as well as Gate/Basorun/Ashi, Mokola, and the Adamasingba axis.
Twelve wards and registration areas are affected, with polling locations at Islamic Mission Primary School (Odoye), St Stephen Primary School (Inalende), Salvation Army Primary School (Yemetu), Methodist Primary School (NTA), Ikolaba High School, St Gabriel Grammar School (Mokola), St Louis Grammar School (Mokola), Chesire High School (Ijokodo), C&S New Eden Primary School (Mokola), Immanuel College Primary School (Samonda), and Methodist Primary School (Bodija).
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that arrangements for the by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states were complete. These polls are being held to fill vacancies created by the resignation or death of serving lawmakers and include two senatorial districts (Anambra and Edo), five federal constituencies (Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo), and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara.
Court-ordered rerun elections will also be held in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.
Olumekun assured that non-sensitive materials had been delivered, BVAS devices configured, ad hoc staff trained, and security arrangements finalised.