The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described Saturday’s bye-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as an opportunity to test its systems and logistics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the commission would use lessons from the four bye-elections to improve its preparations for the nationwide polls.

Amupitan spoke while monitoring the elections from the commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja on Saturday.

The elections were held in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies of Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency of Delta State.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, the INEC chairman said every election provided an opportunity for the commission to assess its readiness.

“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” Amupitan said.

He said the commission would use the exercises to assess its logistics, technology and administrative preparations.

According to him, the commission must not treat bye-elections as routine exercises because they provide important lessons that could strengthen future elections.

Amupitan personally monitored reports from the various locations alongside National Commissioners and senior officials of the commission.

He said some operational challenges identified before the elections were addressed promptly.

The INEC chairman said the National Situation Room was also being used to monitor developments and resolve problems that could affect the smooth conduct of the elections.

“We will continue to improve our processes to achieve greater efficiency and build public confidence in future elections,” Amupitan said.

Fidson Healthcare Plc has mobilised its staff and volunteers to clean communities in Lagos as part of activities to mark World Cleanup Day 2026.

The exercise, held on Saturday morning, took place around Obanikoro, Fadeyi, Palmgrove and Shomolu axis of Lagos state, with employees of the company and volunteers participating in the cleanup and environmental hygiene advocacy.

The initiative, tagged Project Clean Sweep 2026, was organised by Fidson in partnership with the African Cleanup Initiative (ACI) as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiative.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) also participated in the exercise, with its advocacy team supporting the organisers.

World Cleanup Day is an annual global movement held on 20 September to tackle waste pollution and promote sustainable resource management.

Fidson links clean environment to health

In her remarks, Adejoke Alli, the Associate Director of Business Operations at Fidson Healthcare, said the company organised the exercise to contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment in its host community.

“The whole idea is to do our part to ensure that we have a greener Lagos and a greener environment, particularly in our host community around Obanikoro, Fadeyi, Shipeolu and Shomolu, where our head office is located,” Ms Alli said.

“We are very passionate about environmental sustainability. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is also part of our governance framework, so we are particularly interested in ensuring that we maintain an environment with a less carbon footprint, an environment that is clean and habitable, and one that can promote good health.”

She noted beyond just talking or complaining, the organisation decided to take action so that people can see that “we can all make a difference.”

“This is something that we are very proud of, and we hope we’ll continue to do this for the future,” she added.

Tosin Shoboyede, Human Resources Business Partner at Fidson Healthcare, said environmental cleanliness is part of the company’s commitment to its motto, “We value life.”

Mr Shoboyede said maintaining a clean environment was one way of promoting healthy living.

He described the exercise as part of Fidson’s effort to give back to society and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Organisers call for community action

Alexander Kibe, Founder and President of the ACI, said the organisation had been involved in environmental cleanup activities for 16 years, working across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Mr Kibe said the group was combining the cleanup with advocacy because cleaning the environment without changing people’s behaviour would not provide a lasting solution.

As part of the exercise, the volunteers also went into the market around the area to clean and engage traders on the need to keep their surroundings clean.

“We cannot leave everything to the government,” Mr Kibe said. “As the African Cleanup Initiative, we are playing our part, and Fidson Healthcare is also playing its part.”

He said residents, traders and passers-by also have a responsibility to keep their surroundings clean.

Mr Kibe said the organisers were engaging members of the communities to encourage them to maintain the environment after the cleanup exercise.

Volunteers urge residents to take responsibility

Munnir Adams, Founder of Climb with Me and a volunteer with the ACI, said improving waste management systems would not be enough without citizens taking responsibility for their surroundings.

Mr Adams said residents should contribute actively to keeping their streets, gutters and areas around their homes clean instead of only complaining about poor waste management.

Rachel Coker, another volunteer with the ACI, said she had participated in the organisation’s activities for more than a year.

Ms Coker said regular environmental sanitation could help reduce exposure to germs and diseases and also contribute to people’s psychological wellbeing.

She said the volunteers were also seeking to set an example for residents and encourage them to make environmental cleanliness a regular habit.