A bye-election in Nigeria is a special election held between regular elections to fill a vacant legislative seat. Such vacancies typically arise due to the death, resignation, or disqualification of a sitting member, or when an election result is nullified by a court. Bye-elections are crucial for maintaining the legitimacy and functionality of legislative bodies at federal, state, or local levels. These elections serve as a barometer of the current political climate, offering insights into public opinion, voter engagement, and the popularity of political parties and policies between general elections. However, bye-elections in Nigeria often face challenges, including logistical issues, low voter turnout, and the need for significant resources. Voter apathy can be higher because these elections do not usually coincide with the general election cycle. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manages bye-elections, ensuring fairness, transparency, and encouraging voter participation using tools like the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Political parties and candidates are encouraged to engage at the grassroots level to enhance voter turnout. Overall, bye-elections are essential to fill gaps in representation and to sustain democratic governance in Nigeria by ensuring legislative seats are not left vacant for long periods. They also provide a snapshot of the political sentiments prevailing at the time beyond the general election cycle. This explanation is based on Nigeria's electoral practices and the role of bye-elections in its democracy. For example, recent bye-elections were held across multiple states to fill vacant seats due to resignations and deaths of sitting members.