APC candidate for the upcoming Remo Federal Constituency by-election in Ogun State, Adesola Elegbeji, has called for changes to Nigeria’s constitution to allow political parties to retain legislative seats when a serving lawmaker dies — without the need for fresh elections.

Speaking during a media parley tagged “An Evening with the Press” at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun State Council on Thursday, Elegbeji described the current system as a “double punishment” for political parties.

“We lost our sister, and now we’re being made to fight for what is rightfully ours,” she said, referring to the late Adewunmi Onanuga, who passed away in January after a brief illness. “In the future, I believe the constitution or electoral act will be amended so that when a party that has legitimately won a seat loses its representative, it can simply appoint a replacement without another election.”

The by-election to fill the vacant Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency seat is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Earlier in the event, NUJ Chairman Wale Olanrewaju clarified that the engagement was not a political campaign but a platform for constituents to hear directly from candidates about their plans. “A few days ago, the ADC candidate was here; today it’s the APC candidate. We are journalists, not politicians, so this is about dialogue, not campaigning,” he said.

Olanrewaju also expressed confidence that the by-election will be peaceful, credible, and fair.