The All Progressives Congress (APC) won 12 of the 16 legislative seats contested in Saturday’s by-elections across 12 states, according to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
APC swept all seats on offer in Ogun, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Jigawa, Adamawa, and Kogi; split two seats with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano; while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in Anambra and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a seat in Oyo. Tally: APC 12 seats; APGA 2; PDP 1; NNPP 1.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated winners across party lines and commended INEC. Opposition parties—PDP, Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP)—rejected the outcomes, alleging rigging, vote-buying, and intimidation, and warned of 2027 implications.
Kano
APC’s Ya’u Garba Gwarmai won Ghari/Tsanyawa with 31,472 votes to NNPP’s Mohammed Yusuf Ali’s 27,931. NNPP’s Ali Lawal Alhassan took Shanono/Bagwai with 16,198 votes, defeating APC’s Abdullahi Ahmad Muhammad (5,347). Despite the split, NNPP retains a House majority (26–14). APC stakeholders alleged there was no election in Shanono/Bagwai; NNPP vowed to challenge Ghari/Tsanyawa in court.
Anambra
Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu won Anambra South with 90,408 votes, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa (19,812) and ADC’s Donald Amamgbo (2,889). In Onitsha North 1, Barr. Ifeoma Azikiwe polled 7,774 votes to beat ADC’s Mrs. Justina Azuka (1,909); APC’s Ezennia Ojekwe had 1,371, YPP’s Njideka Ndiwe 655.
Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Environment Commissioner Engr. Felix Odumegwu escaped lynching in Nnewi South after alleged vote-buying claims. Governor Chukwuma Soludo said: “This is an act of thuggery. Government officials, including the deputy governor, were attacked. It’s unacceptable,” he said.
APGA’s Mazi Ejimofor Opara echoed the allegation, accusing APC’s Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of sponsoring thugs. Ukachukwu’s aide, Mr. Tony Uche, denied it, insisting officials stormed Osumenyi with security trucks to influence the polls, sparking youth resistance.
Oyo
INEC declared PDP’s Folajimi Oyekunle winner of Ibadan North Federal Constituency with 18,404 votes to APC’s Adewale “Murphy” Olatunji’s 8,312—PDP’s first win there since 2011.
Ogun
APC’s Princess Adesola Elegbeji won Remo Federal Constituency with 41,237 votes to PDP’s 14,324.
Edo
Joseph Ikpea (APC) won Edo Central Senate with 105,129 votes over PDP’s Prince Joe Okojie. In Ovia Federal Constituency, APC’s Omosede Igbinedion scored 77,053; PDP’s Johnny Aikpitanyi had 3,838; ADC’s Dr. Sandra Asemota 925. Governor Monday Okpebholo hailed the results, praising voters and projecting a stronger showing for President Tinubu in 2027. “This victory is a clear indication of the trust and confidence the people have in Ikpea and Igbinedion’s abilities to represent their interests effectively at the National Assembly,” Okpebholo said.
Kaduna
APC’s Felix Bagudu won Chikun/Kajuru with 34,580 votes to PDP’s 11,491. The party also won Zaria Kewaye (Isa Haruna, 26,613) and Basawa (APC 10,926 to PDP 5,499). Turnout was generally low but polls were largely peaceful.
Niger
APC’s Matthew Daje won with 12,556 votes to PDP’s Sabo Adabynlo’s 5,646. The seat became vacant after the death of PDP’s Joseph Haruna Duza.
Taraba
APC’s Abner Shittu won Karim Lamido I with 5,895 votes to PDP’s Ali Kanda’s 5,488; ADC’s Badina Garba had 1,774; SDP’s Abubakar Dauda 149.
Jigawa
APC’s Rabi’u Mukhtar Garki polled 38,449 votes, defeating PDP’s Isa Auwalu Manzo (13,519) and NNPP’s Sabo Salisu (2,931).
Reactions
In a statement by spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised INEC and lauded APC’s new National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda: “Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.
“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God.’’
Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor said: “state institutions, both federal and state, colluded with APC apparatuses to muzzle the process, intimidate voters, and change the outcome of the election.”
“INEC needs to be restructured, the Electoral Act amended, and its neutrality re-emphasised,” he said, warning that without reforms before 2027, opposition parties might boycott the polls: “It would be a waste of time, resources, emotions and energy,” he cautioned.
Spokesman Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said: “What Nigerians witnessed in yesterday’s (Saturday) by-elections is yet another reminder that under the current administration, democracy itself, just like the economy and national security, continues to decline.”
He cited reports of ballot-box snatching, arrests of nearly 300 thugs, and an individual caught with ₦25.9 million. “When ballots are brazenly exchanged for money, the vote of the ordinary Nigerian ceases to have meaning,” he said, urging the President to guarantee credible polls. “No government can claim legitimacy if it consistently presides over fraudulent polls,” he warned.
In a statement by Ken Asogwa, aide to Acting National Chairman Senator Esther Usman, LP said: “From Kaduna to Anambra, Ogun to Oyo, and Kano, the narrative remained the same: large-scale rigging, brazen vote-buying, and violence.”
“Two years after the brazen heist of 2023, we had hoped Yakubu would attempt a semblance of redemption. Yesterday’s (Saturday) outing proved such expectations misplaced,” it declared, warning that “history will be most unkind if he permits hawks around him to desecrate our democracy in pursuit of power.”
National Secretary Chief Peter Ameh cautioned against reading too much into off-cycle wins: “The intense pressure from those who control the state apparatus, coupled with low turnout, thuggery and vote-buying, significantly distort the process. These results create false hope.”
“Such elections do not reflect a candidate’s true capacity.
“There is no justification for incurring huge costs when the party owns the mandate,” he added.
APC spokesman Felix Morka called the results an endorsement of the administration: “This win is yet another solid endorsement of President Bola Tinubu administration and its Renewed Hope Agenda designed to deliver, and now steadily delivering, transformation of our country’s economy and other sectors of our national life,’’ he said.
The party commended the President “for creating a level playing field for the bye-election contest”.
“Our hearty congratulations go to our victorious candidates across the country, and we charge them to reward their constituents with purposeful legislative interventions that translate the Renewed Hope Agenda to meaningful benefits for the people.
“We specially congratulate our National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on this crucial first dominant victory under his eminent leadership as National Chairman. It is a strong pointer to greater things to come.
“The party applauds the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, for its successful conduct of the bye-elections, and hails all security agencies for maintaining peace and order, despite cases of election violence and voters suppression in some districts.
“Again, our deepest gratitude remains with the Nigerian electorate, and we urge all Nigerians to sustain their support for our great Party and Mr President as he continues to pave a clear and steady path of prosperity for this and future generations,” APC added.
Full Credit, Excluding Headline: Vanguard