The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently conducted off-season elections in three states, fueling concerns among stakeholders about the increasing frequency of such polls in Nigeria.
The trend of off-season elections gained momentum after the Supreme Court’s decision to oust Chris Ngige, who contested the 2003 Governorship election in Anambra State. This led to the declaration of Peter Obi, then a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as the winner.
Nigeria now witnesses eight off-season governorship elections, including Anambra, Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, and Imo, each following distinct election timetables. Imo State, for instance, deviated from the regular election cycle due to the Supreme Court’s intervention in the 2019 governorship election.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed concern, calling for an end to off-season elections, emphasizing the potential risk of the presidential election following suit.
Stakeholders, including Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, disclosed an estimated budget of N18 billion for the off-season elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa. Despite financial allocations, reported irregularities during the November 11 polls sparked debates on the necessity of these elections.
Suggestions have surfaced, urging the National Assembly to enact a law mandating the swift conclusion of all electoral matters before the inauguration of elected officials. Advocates, including Dr. Onome Anthony of the Labour Party and Alhaji Yerima Shettima of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, argue that this would streamline the electoral process, saving time and resources.
While some fear potential drawbacks, such as time constraints on resolving electoral matters, proponents believe it would enhance stability, continuity of governance, and optimize the use of public funds.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), welcomes the idea but expresses skepticism about its acceptance by the current National Assembly. He emphasizes the need for a robust mechanism, including an Election Crimes Commission, to address corruption within INEC and combat election fraud effectively.
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