The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released results of Saturday’s by-elections across 16 constituencies nationwide.
The exercise, held to fill vacant seats in the national and state assemblies, produced a commanding win for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite smooth voting in some locations, the polls were marred by incidents that raised doubts about the credibility of the process.
In Ogun, police confirmed the arrest of two INEC officials in Iperu Remo after they were caught with ₦2.5 million during voting.
In Kano, APC alleged thugs disrupted the exercise and demanded cancellation of results in affected polling units, claiming the process had been compromised.
In Anambra, Governor Chukwuma Soludo alleged that thugs attacked his commissioner during the senatorial by-election, calling it an act of “desperation” by political players.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also came under scrutiny when security agencies seized over ₦25 million in Kaduna. The party, however, insisted the funds were for logistics and agent welfare, not vote buying.
At the end of the polls, the ruling APC secured victories in 12 constituencies, solidifying its dominance less than two years before the 2027 elections.
The PDP managed only one seat, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) captured two and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) secured one.
The Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), despite fielding candidates, failed to win any constituency.
PDP PICKS OYO SEAT, APC SWEEPS EDO
The PDP’s lone win came in Oyo, where Fola Oyekunle claimed the Ibadan North federal constituency seat with 18,404 votes, defeating APC’s Adewale Olatunji, who polled 8,312.
In Edo, APC dominated by winning both the Ovia federal constituency and the central senatorial district.
Omosede Igbinedion returned to the House of Representatives after polling 77,053 votes against PDP’s Johnny Aikpitanyi, who had 3,838.
Joseph Ikpea also prevailed in the central senatorial district, scoring 105,129 votes, while his PDP rival managed 15,146.
APC CONSOLIDATES IN KADUNA AND JIGAWA
In Kaduna, APC’s Felix Bagudu secured victory in the Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency with 34,580 votes, leaving PDP’s candidate behind with 11,491.
In Jigawa, APC’s Muktar Rabi’u won the Garki-Babura federal constituency seat with 38,449 votes, defeating PDP’s Isa Auwalu, who polled 13,519, and NNPP’s Sabo Salisu, who had 2,931.
NNPP, APGA RECORD GAINS
In Kano, NNPP held its ground by winning a House of Representatives seat, reinforcing its influence in the north-west despite APC’s pressure in the state assembly elections.
APGA posted its strongest results in Anambra, capturing the vacant senate seat of the late Ifeanyi Ubah and an additional state assembly seat.
TARABA: NARROW ESCAPE FOR APC
In Taraba’s Karim 1 state constituency, APC’s Abner Shittu edged PDP’s Ali Kanda with 5,901 votes against 5,527. ADC’s Badina Garba placed third with 2,069 votes.
NIGER STATE: APC’S STRONGHOLD MAINTAINED
Dogari Daje of APC held onto Munya constituency with 12,556 votes, comfortably beating PDP’s Sabon Sunday, who scored 5,646.
The outcome reaffirmed APC’s dominance in Niger’s state assembly.
ADAMAWA: A PHOTO FINISH
Adamawa produced one of the closest contests, as APC’s Misa Musa won by just 129 votes. Musa scored 15,923 against PDP’s Buba Muhammad, who finished with 15,794.
KANO: ADDITIONAL BOOSTS
APC also expanded its strength by winning the Ghari/Tsanyawa supplementary election for the Kano state assembly, after the earlier exercise was declared inconclusive.
However, in Zamfara, INEC declared the Kaura Namoda South by-election inconclusive following cancellations in Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards.
POLITICAL SIGNALS AHEAD OF 2027
Though limited in scale, the by-elections provided insights into political dynamics ahead of the 2027 polls.
The APC’s sweeping results highlight the party’s organisational muscle under new chairman Nentawe Yilwatda.
For the PDP, winning only in Oyo deepens concerns over its comeback prospects, while APGA’s gains strengthen its regional base and NNPP’s resilience keeps the north-west competitive.
The LP, which stunned many in the 2023 elections, failed to win a seat this time.
The ADC also failed to secure any victory, with analysts warning the coalition must build grassroots structures before 2027.
Observers believe the outcome could shape alliances, defections, and strategies as political parties begin gearing up for the general elections.
