By-elections: Court orders INEC to accept SDP candidates

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept all candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to participate in the 16 by-elections scheduled to hold in 12 states on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order in a judgment delivered in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, filed by the SDP against INEC over the reported rejection of its candidates for the upcoming polls.

The party alleged that INEC acted beyond its powers by refusing to recognise its candidates, despite their nomination through duly conducted primaries.

The SDP argued that its candidates were validly nominated in accordance with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC regulations.

In his judgment on the substantive matter, Justice Nwite ruled in favour of the party and 13 others against INEC. He ordered the commission to allow the SDP to participate in the forthcoming by-elections and to publish the names of all its candidates, ensuring that the party’s logo appears appropriately on all relevant election materials.

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In a statement issued after the judgment, the National Secretary of the SDP, Dr. Olu Agunloye, said the by-elections would be held in 12 states and would cover two senatorial seats, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies.

According to him, the senatorial districts are Anambra South and Edo Central in Anambra and Edo states, respectively.

The five federal constituencies are Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo).

The nine state constituencies are Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North (Anambra), Dekina/Okura (Kogi), Zaria Kewaye and Basawa (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono (Kano), Mariga (Niger), Karim Lamido I (Taraba), and Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara).

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