The All Progressives Congress (APC) strengthened its legislative presence across Nigeria after securing victories in a series of by-elections held on Saturday, winning seats in Nasarawa, Enugu, Kano, Ondo and Kebbi states, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.
According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC candidates recorded convincing victories in most of the contests, although several opposition parties alleged irregularities, voter intimidation and electoral malpractice.
In Nasarawa North Senatorial District, APC candidate Danladi Halilu defeated Labour Party candidate and former Information Minister Labaran Maku, as well as PDP’s Emmanuel Ombugadu. Halilu secured 45,362 votes, while Maku polled 12,931 and Ombugadu received 11,570 votes.
Following the announcement, Labour Party agents staged a walkout during the collation process. Maku later rejected the outcome, describing the exercise as a “sham” and calling for the election’s cancellation over alleged violations of electoral procedures, including claims of ballot stuffing and BVAS non-compliance.
The APC dismissed the allegations, with the party’s Nasarawa State Publicity Secretary, Augustine Ogaba, insisting the victory reflected the electorate’s choice.
In Enugu North Senatorial District, APC candidate Ikeje Asogwa secured a landslide victory with 162,360 votes. PDP candidate Nestor Ezeme came a distant second with 9,299 votes.
Despite the overwhelming margin, reports emerged of violence, technical glitches and ballot-box snatching in parts of the district. A PDP polling agent was reportedly hospitalised following an attack at a polling centre in Obollo-Afor.
The APC also emerged victorious in the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election in Kano State, where Rabiu Shuaibu polled 35,356 votes to defeat candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement and Labour Party.
In Ondo South Senatorial District, former Nigerian Medical Association President Prof Francis Faduyile won the seat for the APC with 68,474 votes. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa congratulated the senator-elect, describing the result as a reflection of public confidence in his leadership and representation capacity.
The PDP’s sole major victory came in Rivers South-East Senatorial District, where Olaka Nwogu secured 46,961 votes to retain the seat for the party. His closest rival, APC candidate Osarokaka Erewari, polled 1,647 votes.
However, candidates of the Action Alliance and Labour Party rejected the Rivers result, alleging widespread rigging and accusing INEC officials and security personnel of compromising the process. Both parties threatened legal action and demanded the cancellation of the election.
Responding to the allegations, INEC’s spokesperson in Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemu, maintained that the commission conducted a credible exercise and advised aggrieved candidates to pursue legal channels if they possessed evidence to support their claims.
The by-election outcomes further consolidate the APC’s influence in the National Assembly, while opposition parties continue to challenge aspects of the electoral process in several states.
