As preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has described the bye-elections conducted across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as essential operational benchmarks for evaluating the nation’s electoral infrastructure.

During remarks delivered on Saturday while directly overseeing operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, underscored that no electoral contest should be regarded as insignificant.

The commission conducted four significant legislative bye-elections in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State; Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State; Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State and Udu State Constituency in Delta State.

Amupitan, who maintained that every off-cycle election functioned as a vital preparatory exercise for nationwide elections, stated: “These four bye-elections furnish indispensable operational insights for the Commission as we methodically establish our strategic direction toward the 2027 General Election.”

“We must refrain from the inclination to characterise any exercise as merely a routine bye-election. Every election constitutes a fundamental element of our comprehensive preparations for the 2027 General Election, enabling us to consistently review our logistics infrastructure, validate our technological systems, and assess administrative field preparedness,” he said.

The INEC chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management personnel, supervised the bye-elections as operational reports were transmitted from field locations.

Amupitan assured Nigerians of the Commission’s commitment to preserving electoral integrity, emphasising that operational challenges identified prior to polling were promptly addressed and rectified.

“Our fundamental responsibility in the Situation Room encompasses monitoring and preventive crisis management.

“Any administrative or field difficulties that emerged before election day were effectively managed by the Commission at their inception,” the Chairman stated.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday.

NiMet disclosed this in its weather outlook released on Sunday, warning that strong winds may precede thunderstorms in some areas.

For Monday morning, the agency forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Taraba and Kebbi states.

It predicted scattered thunderstorms with moderate rain over parts of the North-East, Kaduna, Taraba and Kebbi later in the day.

For the North-Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are expected over parts of Niger in the morning. Later in the afternoon or evening, thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected over most parts of the region.

NiMet forecast cloudy skies across the southern region on Monday morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. It predicted thunderstorms accompanied by light rain across the region later in the afternoon or evening.

For Tuesday, NiMet forecast patches of cloud over the northern region during the morning, with thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Taraba. Later in the afternoon or evening, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain are expected over most parts of the northern region.

For the North-Central region, partly cloudy skies are expected in the morning. Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau.

For the southern region, NiMet forecast mostly cloudy skies during Tuesday morning, followed by thunderstorms and light rain over parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and the South-South.

On Wednesday, the agency predicted partly cloudy skies across the northern region, with thunderstorms and moderate rain over several states in the morning, including Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba.

NiMet also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain across most parts of the northern region later on Wednesday.

For the North-Central region, it predicted partly cloudy skies during the morning, with isolated thunderstorms and light rain over parts of the FCT, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa.

The agency forecast thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain over most parts of the region later in the day.

Across the southern region, NiMet predicted cloudy skies during Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rain over most parts later in the day.

It warned that strong winds might precede thunderstorms in areas where rainfall is expected, urging residents to take necessary precautions.

(NAN)