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AT A GLANCE: APC dominates, LP, ADC draw blank — how political parties fared in the by-elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced results of Saturday’s by-elections across 16 constituencies in the country.

The polls, which were conducted to fill vacant seats in the national assembly and state houses of assembly, produced a clear winner in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Despite smooth voting in some areas, the by-elections were overshadowed by incidents that raised concerns about the credibility of the process.

The Ogun police command confirmed the arrest of two INEC officials in Iperu Remo for alleged electoral offences after they were found with N2.5 million during the exercise.

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In Kano, the APC alleged that thugs disrupted voting and demanded the cancellation of results in certain polling units, insisting the integrity of the process had been compromised.

In Anambra, Chukwuma Soludo, governor of the state, said thugs assaulted his commissioner during the senatorial by-election, describing the incident as “desperation” from political actors.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also came under scrutiny after security agencies intercepted over N25 million in Kaduna, but the party maintained the money was meant for logistics and agent welfare, not vote buying.

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At the end of the exercise, the ruling APC secured victories in 12 constituencies, confirming its political dominance less than two years before the 2027 general election.

The main opposition party, PDP, managed to clinch just one seat, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won two and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) held on to one.

The Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), both of which contested in the elections, failed to win any constituency.

PDP PICKS OYO SEAT, APC SWEEPS EDO

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The only victory recorded by the PDP is in Oyo state where Fola Oyekunle won the Ibadan north federal constituency seat in the house of representatives.

Oyekunle secured 18,404 votes to defeat Adewale Olatunji, his closest rival and candidate of the APC, who polled 8,312 votes.

However, in Edo, the APC swept both the Ovia federal constituency and the central senatorial district.

Omosede Igbinedion returned to the green chamber after scoring 77,053 votes against PDP’s Johnny Aikpitanyi, who scored 3,838 votes.

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Joseph Ikpea also triumphed in the central senatorial district, securing 105,129 votes while his PDP challenger had 15,146 votes.

APC CONSOLIDATES IN KADUNA AND JIGAWA

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In Kaduna, Felix Bagudu of the APC claimed victory in the Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency, scoring 34,580 votes.

The PDP candidate came second with 11,491 votes.

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In Jigawa, APC’s Muktar Rabi’u won the Garki-Babura federal constituency seat with 38,449 votes, defeating Isa Auwalu of the PDP, who scored 13,519 votes, and NNPP’s Sabo Salisu, who had 2,931.

NNPP, APGA RECORD GAINS

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In Kano, NNPP held its ground by winning a house of representatives’ seat. The victory reaffirms the party’s growing influence in the north-west, despite APC’s pushback in the state assembly elections.

APGA’s strongest showing was in Anambra, where the party captured the vacant senate seat formerly held by the late Ifeanyi Ubah, as well as a state house of assembly seat.

TARABA: NARROW ESCAPE FOR APC

In Taraba’s Karim 1 state constituency, APC’s Abner Shittu won with 5,901 votes, edging PDP’s Ali Kanda, who polled 5,527 votes.

Badina Garba of the ADC placed third with 2,069 votes.

NIGER STATE: APC’S STRONGHOLD MAINTAINED

Dogari Daje of APC secured Munya constituency with 12,556 votes, comfortably defeating PDP’s Sabon Sunday, who scored 5,646 votes.

The victory reaffirmed APC’s grip on the state assembly.

ADAMAWA: A PHOTO FINISH

It was a keen contest in Adamawa, where APC’s Misa Musa won with a 129-vote margin. Musa polled 15,923 against PDP’s Buba Muhammad, who managed 15,794 votes.

KANO: ADDITIONAL BOOSTS

APC also strengthened its hand by winning the Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency supplementary election for the Kano state house of assembly.

The supplementary election was held after the earlier exercise in the constituency was declared inconclusive.

However, following the cancellation of results in polling units in Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards, INEC declared the Kaura Namoda south constituency by-election in Zamfara inconclusive.

POLITICAL SIGNALS AHEAD OF 2027

Though limited in scope, Saturday’s by-elections offer a glimpse into the political undercurrents ahead of the 2027 polls.

The ruling APC’s sweeping victories signal the party’s organisational strength under Nentawe Yilwatda, the new national chairman.

For the PDP, the outcome deepens concerns about its ability to stage a comeback, having won only in Oyo, while APGA’s gains in Anambra further strengthen its regional identity, while NNPP’s resilience in Kano keeps the north-west competitive.

The LP, which made significant surprises during the 2023 elections, ended the exercise without winning a single seat.

The newly formed ADC coalition failed to secure any seat, an outcome observers say was expected, noting that the group must strengthen its grassroots presence ahead of the 2027 general election.

Analysts say the results could influence alliances, defections, and campaign strategies as parties begin to prepare for the next elections.

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