The coalition of opposition leaders and their supporters suffered a major political setback following the outcome of Saturday’s re-run and bye-elections held across 12 states in the country.
Ahead of the polls, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), serving as the political platform for the opposition bloc, had positioned itself as a test of strength against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Interim National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, had appealed to Nigerians to support the party’s candidates, while Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and other opposition figures vigorously campaigned in Anambra, Edo, Kaduna, and other states.
However, results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that the APC won the majority of the contested seats.
The ruling party secured 12 victories, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) managed a seat each. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also clinched two seats. The ADC, despite its high-profile backing, failed to secure a single seat.
READ ALSO: NNPP retains grip on Kano Assembly with victory in Bagwai/Shanono by-election
Among the contested constituencies, the APC won the vacant seats in Edo Central Senatorial District and Ibadan North Federal Constituency, while PDP took Onitsha North I. APGA retained Anambra South Senatorial District, and NNPP emerged victorious in Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency in Kano.
Election Marred by Apathy, Vote-buying, and Violence
Reports from several states revealed low voter turnout, widespread allegations of vote-buying, and violent disruptions.
Ogun State: Security operatives arrested two PDP chieftains and two suspected INEC officials with large sums of cash allegedly intended for vote-buying. The suspects were picked up in a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area.
Kaduna State: Police intercepted a suspected vote-buyer carrying N25 million cash, allegedly earmarked to compromise the process.
While authorities claimed the money was for voter inducement, the PDP chairman in the state, Edward Marshal, dismissed the allegations, insisting the funds were meant for field logistics.
Kano State: The Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the arrest of 288 suspected thugs with dangerous weapons in four LGAs where elections were conducted. He said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would face prosecution.
Anambra State: The APC governorship candidate for the November election, Nicholas Ukachukwu, was accused of engaging in a physical altercation with the state Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, at Ezinifite in Nnewi South. Governor Chukwuma Soludo alleged that the commissioner was attacked by political thugs during the poll.
In Enugu State, the long-delayed Enugu South Urban Constituency election once again ended in stalemate after violence erupted at Uwani Boys Secondary School polling units. It marked the fourth failed attempt to conduct the poll, with PDP, APC, and Labour Party trading blame.
READ ALSO: Coalition presidential ticket: Open letter to Atiku Abubakar
Opposition Reacts
The Labour Party in Edo State accused the ruling APC of using violence, vote-buying, and intimidation to influence results, but said it would not contest the outcome in court, citing lack of faith in the system.
Similarly, the ADC rejected the results, describing the exercise as marred by corruption and intimidation.
In a statement, its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the results did not reflect the party’s strength and alleged that Nigeria’s electoral process had further declined under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Despite the controversies, INEC maintained that the elections were conducted in line with established guidelines, even as civil society groups and opposition leaders renewed calls for reforms to strengthen electoral integrity ahead of 2027.