The ruling All Progressives Congress, the African Democratic Congress, and the Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday differed over the outcome of the by-elections held on Saturday across 16 constituencies in 12 states.

While the APC captured the majority of the seats, the PDP recorded wins in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Adamawa State; the NNPP emerged victorious in Kano; and the All Progressives Grand Alliance secured Anambra State. The ADC, however, did not win in any constituency.

The APC won in 12 constituencies, APGA triumphed in two, and the PDP and NNPP each won a constituency.

However, the ADC faulted the by-election, alleging it was marred by intimidation and corruption.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stressed that the outcome of the bye-elections does not reflect the true strength of the party as the coalition platform for opposition leaders.

He further argued that the exercise once again highlighted the alleged decline of Nigeria?s electoral process under President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The ADC, which was officially adopted on July 1 as the coalition party of key opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was expected to use the exercise as a test of its strength ahead of the 2027 election.

Reacting to the outcome, the ADC alleged that the polls were tainted by violence, vote-buying, manipulation, and administrative irregularities.

It stated, ?The ADC noted that the party did not field candidates for most of the positions contested in the by-election. Therefore, with all its flaws and irregularities, this election should not be seen as a measure of the strength or capacity of the Opposition Coalition, but rather as a sad reflection of how far the system has been corrupted against the will of the people.

?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 our national security, continues to decline under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.

?When elections are marred by widespread violence, when ballots are openly and brazenly exchanged for money, when opposition candidates are excluded without explanation, and when the very institutions entrusted to safeguard democracy become complicit, then the vote of the ordinary Nigerian ceases to have meaning. In some states, nearly 300 thugs armed with rifles, knives, and cutlasses were arrested on election day. Is this democracy?or banditry disguised as voting??

The ADC claimed that in certain states, entire polling units were nullified following incidents of ballot box snatching and blatant voter intimidation.

The coalition party further noted that when citizens cannot cast their votes without fear of harassment or violence, it signifies a breakdown of the fundamental covenant between the state and its people.

It added, ?In one state, a vote-buyer was caught with N25.9 million intended to procure and corrupt the will of the people. In another, election officials were themselves implicated in similar inducements. This is no longer isolated malpractice; it is fast becoming the political culture of our electoral process under the APC.

?After so many years, the failure of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in some states has once again raised questions about the Commission?s competence, sincerity, and perhaps, complicity. Nigerians deserve elections that command the implicit confidence of every citizen and the respect of the rest of the world. INEC must not be allowed to turn excuses into a code of conduct.

?The bigger picture that we must all remember is that for better or worse, these by-elections represent the clearest indication of a dress rehearsal for 2027. If violence, vote buying, candidate intimidation and exclusion, and collusion between security forces and compromised election officials become the new normal, then Nigerians and the international community must brace themselves.

?The ADC therefore calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise above his partisan interest and, for once, demonstrate genuine leadership by ensuring that Nigerians can cast their votes freely and safely. The President must recognise that no government can claim legitimacy if it consistently presides over elections that citizens and the international community perceive as fraudulent.?

ADC called on civil society groups, the media, religious leaders, and all Nigerians who cherish freedom to stand against the descent into electoral lawlessness.

The party warned that failure to protect the sanctity of the ballot now could leave citizens with nothing to safeguard in the future.

In its reaction, the APC hailed the victory as a clear endorsement of President Bola Tinubu?s administration.

In a statement on Sunday, the party?s Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, expressed deep appreciation to Nigerians for their overwhelming support, which he said led to the resounding success of APC candidates in Saturday?s legislative by-elections held across 12 states of the federation.

It stated, ?This win is yet another solid endorsement of President Bola Tinubu?s 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.

?We commend the President and leader of our great Party for creating a level playing field for the bye-election contest, as well as our Progressive Governors, devoted Party leaders, members, and supporters for their sacrificial efforts and contribution towards this electoral victory.

?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 especially 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 APC commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for ??the smooth conduct?? of the by-elections and also praised security agencies for ensuring peace and order, despite isolated incidents of electoral violence and voter suppression in some areas.

?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, it added.

Reacting, President Bola Tinubu on Sunday congratulated the winners of Saturday, also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday.

Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

?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 remarked.

?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,? he said.

Tinubu further commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoins them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest, and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

The APC in Kaduna State achieved a sweeping victory on Saturday, with its candidate, Felix Bagudu, winning the Chikun, Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election by a clear margin of 23,089 votes.

The party also consolidated its dominance in the state assembly by capturing the Zaria Kewaye and Basawa constituencies in the House of Assembly by-elections.

The victory secured Bagudu?s seat in the House of Representatives, as excited APC supporters took to the streets of Kujama and parts of Kaduna metropolis to celebrate what they called ?a well-earned win.?

The APC equally asserted its dominance in the Kaduna State House of Assembly by-elections in the Zaria zone. In Zaria Kewaye constituency, Returning Officer Prof. Balarabe Abdullahi declared Isa Haruna Ihamo the winner with 26,613 votes.

His closest rival, Nuhu Sada Abdullahi of the Social Democratic Party, garnered 5,721 votes, while the PDP candidate, Mamuda Abdullahi Wappa, placed third with 5,331 votes.

Likewise, in the Basawa constituency, Returning Officer, Prof. Nasiru Rabiu, announced the APC candidate?s victory with 10,926 votes against the PDP contender, who polled 5,499 votes. The comprehensive win reaffirmed APC?s stronghold on Kaduna politics, particularly in the Zaria axis, where the opposition had anticipated a tougher contest.

Reacting to the outcome, Kaduna APC Secretary, Yahaya Baba-Pate, said the victory was ?a reward for hard work and the people?s appreciation of the ruling party?s performance.?

On his part, a member of the APC National Working Committee, Tolu Bankole, also congratulated the candidates of the ruling party who emerged victorious in the elections across the country.

The APC national leader for Persons with Disabilities gave the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

He stated, ?I extend my warm congratulations to all candidates of the APC across the country. Your courage, resilience, and commitment to the ideals of our party and the service of our nation stand as a beacon of hope for the strengthening of democracy in Nigeria.??

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun hailed the APC victory in Saturday?s Remo Federal Constituency by-election as the beginning of a new chapter in the state?s democratic journey.

He congratulated the representative-elect, Princess Adesola Elegbeji, on what he described as a well-deserved win, urging her to uphold the mandate with humility and dedication.

Elegbeji, the APC candidate, secured 41,237 votes to defeat her main challenger, Bola Oluwole of the PDP, who garnered 14,324 votes.

The Returning Officer for the Saturday by-election, Prof. Kazeem Olajide Bello, declared the results in the early hours of Sunday at the INEC Collation Centre in Ikenne.

The governor further noted that the outcome reflected the wide acceptance of his administration and the APC nationwide, while also serving as proof of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s impactful leadership within just 24 months in office.

He stated, ?While we were all saddened by the shocking demise of the late Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, whose absence we still sorely feel, the massive turnout of our people to overwhelmingly vote for our party and our candidate, Princess Dr.Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji, has brought indelible solace and restoration to us all, particularly against the background of the deceit and attempted theft of the 2023 Gov elections in this constituency.??

Similarly, the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, hailed the historic emergence of Elegbeji as the new lawmaker representing Remo Federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo declared that the victories of Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion in Saturday?s by-election signalled that President Tinubu would have an easy win in the state in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor commended the electorate for turning out in large numbers to support the APC candidates.

He expressed confidence that Ikpea and Igbinedion would serve as strong representatives of the state in the National Assembly, dedicated to driving development and ensuring that Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency receive the attention they rightfully deserve.

The governor said, ?I want to reassure the electorate that with the resounding victory of the APC and its candidates, Ikpea and Igbinedion, the 2027 presidential election will be a walkover for President Tinubu in Edo State.

?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.??

However, the Edo State chapter of the PDP rejected the results of the senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections.

The party accused INEC of deliberately sabotaging the exercise, describing the process as a major setback for Nigeria?s democratic credibility.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Elections Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, said the party rejected the results being circulated by INEC, dismissing the exercise as an embarrassment to democracy.

He alleged that INEC used excuses such as ?glitches? and ?malfunctions? to cover up its incompetence, bias, and lack of moral authority. According to him, the BVAS remains the most crucial tool for ensuring credible elections in Nigeria.

PDP stated, ?What we witnessed was not a technical failure but a deliberate sabotage by INEC to provide room for manipulation in collusion with APC, and creates an unfair advantage for the APC and renders the entire process compromised.

?In any responsible society, the management of INEC would by now have been sacked and prosecuted for repeatedly compromising the electoral process.??

Meanwhile, INEC has declared Folajimi Oyekunle, popularly known as Don, of the PDP as the winner of the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Abiodun Oluwadare of the University of Ibadan, announced that Oyekunle polled 18,404 votes to defeat his closest rival, Adewale Olatunji (Murphy) of the APC, who scored 8,312 votes.

Oyekunle?s victory fills the vacancy left by the late Musiliu Olaide Akinremi (Jagaban). The win also marks a significant breakthrough for the PDP, as it reclaimed the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat for the first time since 2011.

The PDP in Jigawa State categorically rejected the outcome of the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency by-election.

The PDP?s stance was outlined in a statement dated August 17, 2025, signed by the party?s State Publicity Secretary, Umar Kyari.

The race was a tight one between Mukhtar Rabi?u Garki of the ruling APC and PDP?s Isa Auwalu against the internal tension within the APC between the loyalists of the Defence Minister and former Jigawa governor, Badaru Abubakar, and supporters of the incumbent governor, Umar Namadi, which added further political complexity.

The statement noted that after a thorough review of the election?s preparations, conduct, and post-election activities, the party was dissatisfied with the process and strongly disagreed with INEC?s declaration of the APC candidate as the winner.

The Jigawa PDP Publicity Secretary accused the APC of leveraging state power unfairly during the election, noting that ?APC used state power and indulged heavily in vote buying, intimidation of voters as well as their harassment during the exercise.?

?We urge all our supporters to stay peaceful as we take all necessary actions to reclaim our stolen mandate,? the statement added.

The party insisted that their mandate, freely given by voters last Saturday, was undermined by improper conduct during the election.

?The outcome of the by-election cannot be accepted by our party in good conscience,? Kyari emphasised, citing what they described as electoral malpractices.

The Chairman of the PDP in Adamawa State, Shehu Tahir, has announced that the party will contest the outcome of the Ganye State Constituency by-election, conducted by INEC last Saturday, in court.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, Tahir alleged that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Taiwo Adeleke, who oversaw security during the exercise, provided cover that enabled the APC to manipulate the election results.

?The national vice chairman of APC north-east, Mustapha Salisu, was caught with election materials in his vehicle in the presence of the AIG, and he allowed him to go about freely without arresting him?, he said.

He added, ? When I called the AIG Adeleke in the night and drew his attention to the incident, he said that Salisu did not use the electoral materials, meaning he was aware of the manipulation deal.

?What I want AIG Adeleke to know is that former IG Balogun, Abacha, Buhari, and others are not alive, and whatever they accumulated fraudulently, they will face God on the last day, and the public wealth they cornered will become a problem to their families.??

Tahir warned that unless the Ganye by-election is reviewed by a court of competent jurisdiction, the future of democracy in 2027 could be jeopardised.

He added, ?If AIG is heading the security team for the state constituency by-election, then the Inspector General of police should head the National Assembly elections, it means we need 109 IGs, so where is the APC government taking the country to???

Reacting to the allegations, Adamawa State police command spokesman, Suleiman Nguroje, admitted that a box bearing the INEC name was uncovered from Salisu?s vehicle.

?Yes, the PDP complained that Salisu was in possession of election materials, a box with the INEC name was found in his car, but after investigation, INEC officials said that it is not their box,? he said.

In his remarks, the Adamawa state APC spokesman, Mohammed Abdullahi, commended INEC for the free and fair conduct of the by-election.

?The by-election was keenly contested; no party was a pushover, but APC came out victorious,? he stated.

Meanwhile, INEC has declared the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency by-election in Zamfara State inconclusive.

According to the Returning Officer, Prof. Lawal Sa?adu of the Federal University Gusau, the decision followed the cancellation of results from certain polling units in Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards.

He explained that while the APC polled 7,001 votes and the PDP scored 5,339 votes, the margin of 1,662 votes was less than the 3,265 Permanent Voter Cards collected in the affected polling units, making it impossible to conclude the election.

He further clarified that two wards were affected: Sakajiki Ward, with two polling units involving 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 PVCs collected, and Kambarawa Ward, with three polling units having 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 PVCs collected.

Consequently, he declared the election inconclusive pending a supplementary poll in the five affected polling units, adding that INEC will announce a new date for the rerun in Sakajiki and Kambarawa wards.

In a related development, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest of two INEC officials, Toryem Joe-Stans and Ms. Mandara Aminat, along with their driver, over electoral offences during the House of Representatives by-election for the Remo Federal Constituency seat.

Odutola revealed this on Sunday while providing details on arrests made in connection with violence or electoral violations during the poll..

On Saturday, Odutola confirmed that the two INEC officials were arrested around 12:45 a.m. in Iperu with the sum of N2,500,000 in their possession.

Odutola said that ?At about 0045hrs, a police patrol team attached to Iperu Remo Division intercepted a Mitsubishi Space Wagon with registration number LAGOS AKD 887 HT with three occupants, Mr. Toryem Joe-Stans and Ms. Mandara Aminat, both officials of INEC, alongside their driver.

?A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a cash sum of two million five hundred thousand naira (N2,500,000.00) from Mr. Joe-Stans Toryem.

?During interrogation, he confessed that the money was collected at Kehoy Hotel, Iperu, Ogun State, from a man he referred to as ?Political Solution?, acting on the directive of his supervisor.?

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has directed that the suspects be handed over to the State CID in Eleweran for prompt and thorough investigation. (PUNCH)

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