The All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a major victory in the just-concluded bye-elections, winning 12 out of 16 legislative seats contested across 12 states, according to official results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ruling party claimed victories in Ogun, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Jigawa, Adamawa, and Kogi, while sharing two Kano seats with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) triumphed in Anambra, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched a seat in Oyo State. Overall, APC took 12 constituencies, APGA won two, PDP secured one, and NNPP claimed one.
While President Bola Tinubu congratulated winners across party lines, opposition groups — including PDP, Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) — alleged irregularities and warned that a repeat of such practices in 2027 could destabilize the political system.
In Kano State, the APC’s Ya’u Garba Gwarmai won the Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency with 31,472 votes, defeating NNPP’s Mohammed Yusuf Ali, who scored 27,931.
However, the NNPP regained ground in Shanono/Bagwai, where Ali Lawal Alhassan secured 16,198 votes against APC’s Abdullahi Ahmad Muhammad, who polled 5,347.
The contests were closely watched, as they took place in Kano North, home to Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, House Appropriations Chairman Kabir Bichi, NNPP Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Muhammad Bello Butu-Butu.
The APGA recorded significant wins in Anambra, where Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu captured the Anambra South senatorial seat with 90,408 votes, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa and ADC’s Donald Amamgbo.
In Onitsha North 1 constituency, Barr. Ifeoma Azikiwe polled 7,774 votes, defeating candidates of ADC, APC, and YPP. The election followed the tragic death of ADC candidate Justice Azuka, whose abduction and murder in February shocked the state.
The polls, however, turned tense as Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Environment Commissioner Felix Odumegwu narrowly escaped an attack by angry youths accusing them of vote-buying. Governor Chukwuma Soludo condemned the violence, pointing fingers at APC candidate Nicholas Ukachukwu, a claim his camp denied.
PDP Makes Comeback in Oyo
In Oyo State, PDP’s Folajimi Oyekunle won the Ibadan North Federal Constituency with 18,404 votes, defeating APC’s Adewale Olatunji (Murphy), who garnered 8,312 votes.
The seat became vacant after the death of popular lawmaker Musiliu Akinremi (Jagaban). The win marks PDP’s first return to the seat since 2011.
In Ogun, APC’s Princess Adesola Elegbeji won the Remo federal constituency, polling 41,237 votes against PDP’s 14,324.
The APC also swept Edo State, with Joseph Ikpea winning Edo Central senatorial seat and Omosede Igbinedion taking Ovia Federal Constituency. Governor Monday Okpebholo described the outcome as a strong endorsement of the party ahead of 2027.
In Kaduna, APC’s Felix Bagudu captured the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency with 34,580 votes, defeating PDP’s candidate, who scored 11,491. The ruling party also secured two state assembly seats in Zaria.
Despite reports of low turnout in some areas, observers described the process as largely peaceful.
The bye-elections have reshaped the political map, with APC consolidating its dominance while opposition parties vow to challenge some results. With 2027 on the horizon, analysts say the contests offer a preview of Nigeria’s next major political battles.
