By-elections: APGA wins Anambra, APC consolidates in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna; PDP, NNPP record gains, Zamfara inconclusive

Nigeria’s major political parties shared victories across different states in Saturday’s by-elections, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) consolidating its dominance in several constituencies, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also recorded significant wins.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency by-election in Zamfara inconclusive, even as APC secured a landslide victory in the Babura/Garki federal constituency by-election in Jigawa State.

Zamfara: Election inconclusive

Announcing the Zamfara result, Returning Officer, Prof. Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, said the decision followed the cancellation of results in polling units across Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards.

According to him, the APC candidate scored 7,001 votes against PDP’s 5,339, a margin of 1,662, while the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in the cancelled polling units stood at 3,265. Since the margin of lead was less than the collected PVCs, the election could not be concluded.

Sa’adu cited Sections 24 (2 & 3), 47 (3), and 51 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 as the legal basis for the decision. He confirmed that INEC would conduct a supplementary poll in the five affected polling units, with a new date to be announced.

Jigawa: APC secures federal seat

In Jigawa, APC’s Mukhtar Rabi’u Garki won the Babura/Garki federal constituency, polling 38,449 votes. The PDP candidate, Isa Auwalu, came second with 13,519 votes, while the NNPP secured 2,931 votes.

Declaring the results, INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Salihu Ibrahim, described the election as peaceful and transparent, praising security agencies and urging stakeholders to accept the outcome in the spirit of unity. The by-election filled the vacant National Assembly seat left by the late representative of the constituency.

APC wins federal seat, two assembly seats in Kaduna 

The APC consolidated its dominance in Kaduna State, clinching one federal and two state legislative seats. In the keenly contested Chikun-Kajuru Federal Constituency race, APC candidate Felix Bagudu emerged winner with 23,089 votes, securing his place in the House of Representatives.

The party also extended its grip on the Kaduna State House of Assembly, sweeping the Zaria Kewaye and Basawa constituencies. In Zaria Kewaye, APC’s Isa Haruna Ihamo secured 26,613 votes, defeating his SDP rival, Nuhu Sada Abdullahi, who polled 5,721, while PDP’s Mamuda Abdullahi Wappa managed 5,331. At Basawa, APC’s candidate won with 10,926 votes against PDP’s 5,499.

APGA sweeps Anambra

In Anambra, APGA reinforced its dominance with two major victories. Ifeoma Azikiwe won the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency seat with 7,774 votes, defeating ADC’s Justina Azuka (1,909), APC’s candidate (1,371), and YPP’s 655 votes. She replaces Justice Azuka, who was kidnapped and later killed.

In the Anambra South Senatorial District, APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu polled 90,408 votes to defeat APC’s Chief Azuka Okwuosa, who scored 19,847. ADC’s Donald Amangbo managed 2,889 votes. The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024.

However, the elections in Anambra were marred by allegations of widespread vote-buying. Voters alleged that APGA agents paid as much as N10,000 to secure votes.

APC consolidates in Edo, Ogun, Kogi, Adamawa

The APC dominated contests in several other states. In Edo Central, Joseph Ikpea of APC swept 105,129 votes against PDP’s Joe Okojie, who scored 15,146. In Ovia Federal Constituency, Omosede Igbinedion of APC recorded 77,053 votes to defeat PDP’s Johnny Aikpitanyi, who managed 3,838.

In Ogun State’s Remo Federal Constituency, Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji of APC retained the seat with 41,237 votes, ahead of PDP’s Bola Oluwole (14,324). In Kogi’s Okura State Constituency, APC’s Hassan Shado secured 55,073 votes against PDP’s 1,038.

In Adamawa’s Ganye State Constituency, APC’s Misa Musa narrowly defeated PDP’s Buba Muhammad Joda by 16,923 to 16,794 votes.

PDP, NNPP gain ground

The PDP scored a breakthrough in Oyo, reclaiming the Ibadan North Federal Constituency for the first time since 2011. Its candidate, Folajinmi Oyekunle, won with 18,404 votes against APC’s 8,312.

In Kano, the NNPP maintained its stronghold, as Ali Alhassan (popularly known as Dr. Ali Kiyawa) won the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency with 16,198 votes against APC’s Ahmad Kadamu, who scored 5,347. However, APC struck back in Ghari/Tsanyawa, where Garba Gwarmai defeated NNPP’s Yusuf Maigado with 31,472 votes to 27,931.

Vote-buying, violence reported

Despite the gains, the by-elections were not without irregularities. In Ogun, police confirmed the arrest of two INEC officials and a driver after intercepting a vehicle in Iperu Remo with N2.5 million in cash, allegedly for vote-buying. The suspects reportedly admitted receiving the funds from a man nicknamed “Political Solution.”

Also in Ogun, gunmen allegedly stormed the polling unit of PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, at Wesley Primary School, Remo, firing shots and carting away ballot boxes, which forced voters to flee.

While INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Saseyi Feyijimi, commended voters and security agencies for what she described as “peaceful conduct,” reports of ballot snatching, cash-for-votes, and sporadic violence highlighted persistent flaws in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Overall, the by-elections underscored APC’s dominance across several constituencies, APGA’s continued strength in Anambra, PDP’s resurgence in Oyo, and NNPP’s resilience in Kano. However, the inconclusive Zamfara poll and widespread irregularities again raised questions about electoral credibility and reforms.