The All Progressives Congress (APC) solidified its political dominance in the country by securing 12 out of the 16 legislative seats contested during the Saturday bye-elections, which spanned across 12 states. The results, announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed the APC’s victory in several states including Ogun, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Jigawa, Adamawa, and Kogi.
The APC’s victories in these states were notable, with the party sweeping all available seats in Ogun, Edo, and other states. In Kano, however, the APC shared the spoils with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), which won one of the two contested seats. The other seats went to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo.
Detailed Election Results:
Kano: The APC triumphed in the Ghari/Tsanyawa state constituency rerun, where its candidate, Ya’u Garba Gwarmai, defeated NNPP’s Mohammed Yusuf Ali by securing 31,472 votes to Ali’s 27,931. However, the NNPP reclaimed the Shanono/Bagwai state constituency seat with its candidate Ali Lawal Alhassan, who secured 16,198 votes, defeating the APC’s Abdullahi Ahmad Muhammad, who garnered 5,347 votes.
Anambra: APGA achieved victory in both the Anambra South senatorial district and Onitsha North 1 state constituency. Emmanuel Nwachukwu won the Anambra South Senate seat with 90,408 votes, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa (19,812 votes) and ADC’s Donald Amamgbo (2,889 votes). In Onitsha North 1, Ifeoma Azikiwe of APGA won with 7,774 votes, while ADC’s Justina Azuka earned 1,909 votes, and APC’s Ezennia Ojekwe received 1,371 votes.
Ibadan North (Oyo): The PDP reclaimed the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat, with Folajimi Oyekunle winning 18,404 votes, beating the APC’s Adewale Olatunji (8,312 votes).
Ogun: The APC’s Princess Adesola Elegbeji won the Remo Federal Constituency seat, with 41,237 votes, far outstripping the PDP’s 14,324 votes.
Edo: The APC also claimed victories in both the Edo Central Senate seat and the Ovia federal constituency. Joseph Ikpea defeated PDP’s Joe Okojie, securing 105,129 votes. In Ovia, APC’s Omosede Igbinedion earned 77,053 votes, while the PDP’s Johnny Aikpitanyi garnered 3,838 votes.
Kaduna: The APC achieved a clean sweep in the Kaduna polls, securing the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and two Kaduna State House of Assembly seats. In the Chikun/Kajuru contest, APC’s Felix Bagudu emerged victorious, polling 34,580 votes to defeat PDP’s 11,491 votes.
Niger: APC’s Matthew Daje won the Munya State Constituency bye-election with 12,556 votes, surpassing PDP’s Sabo Adabynlo, who received 5,646 votes.
Taraba: APC’s Abner Shittu triumphed in the Karim Lamido I State Constituency bye-election, securing 5,895 votes, narrowly defeating PDP’s Ali Kanda, who polled 5,488 votes.
Jigawa: The APC won the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency bye-election, with its candidate, Rabi’u Mukhtar Garki, securing 38,449 votes, far ahead of PDP’s 13,519 votes.
Political Reactions:
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the victors, commended INEC for conducting the elections smoothly, and expressed satisfaction with the results, noting that they reflected the Renewed Hope agenda of his administration. He also praised the APC’s leadership for the successful campaign and for presenting capable candidates.
However, the opposition parties, including the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), voiced strong concerns over the election process. They accused the APC and INEC of rigging the results through vote-buying, intimidation, and other irregularities, and warned that unless electoral reforms were made, the 2027 elections might face even more significant challenges.
PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, claimed that the elections were manipulated by state institutions, and ADC spokesperson Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi labeled the elections as a “dress rehearsal” for chaos in 2027. The LP also criticized the elections, calling them a mockery of democracy, while the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) urged Tinubu not to mistake the bye-election results as a true reflection of political strength, citing widespread electoral malpractice.
In response, the APC described its successes in the bye-elections as a resounding endorsement of President Tinubu’s administration and emphasized the party’s ongoing commitment to democratic principles.
