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.

In a La Liga Matchday 7 fixture, Barcelona defeated Sevilla 3-1 away from home.

Following this match, Barcelona remains firmly at the top of the La Liga standings with a perfect record of seven wins from seven games. In these matches, they have been prolific, scoring an impressive 31 goals.

In the history of La Liga, only one team has scored more goals than Barcelona after the first seven rounds: Sevilla, the same team Barcelona defeated on Saturday, who scored 40 goals in the first seven games of the 1940/41 season.

It is worth noting that in that season, Sevilla defeated Barcelona 11-1 in the opening match of the league.

Napoli Women have officially completed the signing of Nigeria international defender Chidinma Okeke from Mexican club América Femenil.

The 26-year-old centre-back joined Napoli Women on a permanent transfer on Friday, September 18, and signed a two-year contract that will keep her at the Italian club until 2028.

Okeke arrives in Italy after two seasons with América, where she helped the Mexican club win the 2025/26 CONCACAF Champions Cup. She played 27 Liga MX Femenil matches during the 2025/26 season and also featured in seven Champions Cup games.

Her move to Napoli adds another European chapter to a career that has already taken her through Nigeria, Spain, Japan and Mexico. She joined Madrid CFF in 2019 after playing for Robo Queens in Nigeria, then moved to Mynavi Sendai before signing for América in August 2024.

The Nigerian defender can play at centre-back and also operate at full-back, giving Napoli another option in defence as they prepare for the new Serie A Women season.

Okeke has also built significant experience with Nigeria. She played at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup before featuring for the Super Falcons at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Her first competitive challenge with Napoli could come on September 26, when they open their 2026/27 Serie A Women campaign away to Juventus at Biella. The match is scheduled for 12:30pm local time in Italy, or 11:30am Nigerian time.

Napoli finished seventh in the 2025/26 Serie A Women standings, while the new season features 12 teams, with the top three earning places in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the bottom side dropping into Serie B.

Okeke said she was pleased with her first days in Naples after meeting the coach, staff and new teammates, adding that her goal is to give her best alongside the team.