The debate over bye-elections in Nigeria took a sharp turn on Wednesday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, lamented the financial strain imposed by these unplanned electoral exercises. Despite his calls for reform, the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have firmly rejected alternative proposals that would allow political parties to fill vacant legislative seats without public elections.
Yakubu, addressing political party leaders in Abuja, described bye-elections as “unpredictable, unbudgeted, and difficult to plan in advance.” He revealed that since the inauguration of the current national and state assemblies in June 2023, 23 vacancies have arisen due to deaths or resignations, necessitating 14 bye-elections in addition to nine conducted earlier.
“The financial and logistical burden of these elections diverts attention from our broader responsibilities,” Yakubu stated, reiterating his call for legislative reforms to adopt cost-effective vacancy-filling mechanisms, similar to practices in other democracies.
This position has drawn both support and opposition. Prominent lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has suggested that political parties should internally decide replacements, arguing that the votes cast during elections belong to parties, not individuals. “By-elections are unnecessary since the political party, not the candidate, owns the mandate,” Falana contended.
While the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed Falana’s view, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) called for broader consultations. The LP and NNPP, however, fiercely opposed the suggestion, insisting that bye-elections remain essential to democratic representation.
Labour Party and NNPP: A Case for Bye-Elections
Labour Party National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh argued that bypassing public elections risks eroding grassroots representation and invites undemocratic practices. “When you allow parties to appoint replacements, it could result in representatives who do not resonate with the people, reducing democracy to a transactional affair,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, NNPP’s Ladipo Johnson questioned the feasibility of such an arrangement. “What is the difference between a bye-election and a regular election? Why should parties unilaterally decide when voters have a stake?” he asked.
PDP and APC: A Call for Reform and Dialogue
Ibrahim Abdullahi, PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary, supported Falana’s position, emphasizing the potential savings for INEC. “Allowing parties to fill vacancies will save resources and reduce the financial burden on INEC,” he said.
Meanwhile, APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim urged a balanced approach. “The issue requires wider consultations. We must weigh the cost implications against the democratic principles of representation and accountability,” he stated, suggesting measures like run-off elections or stricter conditions for victory to reduce the frequency of bye-elections.
INEC’s Persistent Advocacy for Legislative Reform
Prof Yakubu emphasized that legislative changes remain the ultimate solution, revealing that INEC has pushed for reforms for nearly a decade. “We must adopt more efficient systems, as seen in other countries, to avoid these costly exercises,” he said.
As the debate intensifies, the question remains: Can Nigeria strike a balance between democratic representation and financial prudence, or will the rising tide of bye-elections continue to strain the nation’s electoral system?
