APC Secures Five By-Election Victories as PDP Holds Rivers

The All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated Saturday’s by-elections, winning Senate and House of Representatives seats in Nasarawa, Enugu, Kano, Ondo and Kebbi states, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results on Sunday, with the elections strengthening the APC’s presence in the National Assembly. 

However, some contests were marred by allegations of electoral irregularities, violence and voter intimidation.

In Nasarawa North Senatorial District, APC candidate Danladi Halilu defeated Labour Party’s Labaran Maku and the PDP’s Emmanuel Ombugadu, polling 45,362 votes against Maku’s 12,931 and Ombugadu’s 11,570.

Following the declaration, Labour Party agents staged a walkout during collation, while Maku rejected the outcome, describing the exercise as a “sham” and calling for its cancellation over alleged widespread irregularities, including BVAS failures and ballot manipulation. 

The APC dismissed the allegations, insisting the victory reflected the party’s popularity.

In Enugu North Senatorial District, APC’s Ikeje Asogwa secured a landslide victory with 162,360 votes, defeating PDP candidate Nestor Ezeme, who polled 9,299 votes. 

Despite the margin, the election was reportedly disrupted by violence, ballot-box snatching and attacks on opposition members.

The APC also won the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election in Kano, where Rabiu Shuaibu polled 35,356 votes to defeat candidates of the APM and Labour Party.

In Ondo South Senatorial District, APC candidate Prof. Francis Faduyile emerged victorious with 68,474 votes, defeating candidates of the Allied People’s Movement, Action People’s Party and Boot Party. 

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa congratulated the senator-elect, describing the result as a reflection of voters’ confidence in his leadership.

The ruling party also secured victory in the Kebbi by-election.

In Rivers South-East Senatorial District, the PDP retained its seat as Olaka Nwogu won with 46,961 votes, defeating APC candidate Osarokaka Erewari, who scored 1,647 votes.

However, the Action Alliance and Labour Party rejected the result, alleging widespread rigging and threatening legal action. 

While the AA accused INEC and security agencies of aiding electoral malpractice, the LP claimed to possess video and photographic evidence of irregularities and demanded the cancellation of the poll.

INEC defended the conduct of the election, maintaining that the process was credible and urging aggrieved candidates to seek legal redress if dissatisfied.