The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded a massive electoral haul in Saturday’s by-elections, storming to victory in Nasarawa, Enugu, Kano, Ondo and Kebbi States, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managed to retain the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.
The victories have further strengthened the APC’s grip on legislative positions across the country, although some of the elections were trailed by allegations of violence, vote manipulation and intimidation by opposition parties.
In Nasarawa State, APC candidate Danladi Halilu defeated Labour Party’s Labaran Maku and PDP’s Emmanuel Ombugadu to emerge winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election.
Declaring the result at the collation centre in Akwanga, Returning Officer, Prof Aminu Ali, announced that Halilu polled 45,362 votes, while Maku secured 12,931 votes and Ombugadu garnered 11,570 votes.
But Maku, a former Minister of Information, rejected the outcome, describing the exercise as a “complete sham” and calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the election and conduct a fresh poll.
Labour Party agents also staged a dramatic walkout from the collation centre in protest against the process.
However, the APC dismissed the allegations, with the party’s state Publicity Secretary, Augustine Ogaba, insisting that the opposition simply failed to win the confidence of voters.
In Enugu State, APC candidate Ikeje Asogwa cruised to a landslide victory in the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, polling 162,360 votes.
INEC Returning Officer, Prof Christian Ezebe, declared Asogwa winner after defeating PDP candidate Dr Nestor Ezeme, who scored 9,299 votes.
Despite the overwhelming margin, the election was reportedly marred by violence, ballot-box snatching and attacks on opposition supporters in parts of the senatorial district.
In Kano State, APC candidate Rabiu Shuaibu also recorded a crushing victory in the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election.
Returning Officer Prof Umar Sani announced that Shuaibu secured 35,356 votes, leaving his opponents far behind.
The APC further tightened its hold on Ondo South Senatorial District as former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof Francis Faduyile, emerged victorious with 68,474 votes.
INEC Returning Officer, Prof Gbenga Ibileye, declared Faduyile winner after defeating candidates of the APM, APP and Boot Party.
Reacting to the result, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa congratulated Faduyile, describing the victory as proof of the confidence reposed in him by the people.
While APC celebrated victories across several states, the PDP found solace in Rivers State where its candidate, Olaka Nwogu, comfortably retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial seat.
INEC Returning Officer, Prof Rosemary Ogu, announced that Nwogu polled 46,961 votes to defeat APC candidate Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari, who scored 1,647 votes.
Nwogu, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dominated the contest across the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
However, candidates of the Action Alliance and Labour Party rejected the outcome and threatened legal action, alleging widespread rigging and manipulation of results.
AA candidate Dr Douglas Fabeke accused INEC and security agencies of aiding electoral fraud, while LP candidate Kinani Sam claimed to possess video and photographic evidence of irregularities.
Responding, INEC spokesperson in Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemu, defended the conduct of the election, maintaining that the commission delivered a credible process and advising aggrieved candidates to seek redress through legal channels.
The by-election results have further boosted APC’s national political momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, even as opposition parties continue to question the credibility of some of the contests.
