The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the conduct of the by-elections held on Saturday, August 16th, across 13 states and 16 constituencies of the federation.

A statement by the national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, noted that the exercise once again exposed how far Nigeria’s electoral process has deteriorated under President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Abdullahi said that the elections were riddled with widely reported violence, vote buying, manipulation, and other administrative lapses, stating that the party did not field candidates for most of the positions contested in the by-election.

The ADC spokesperson stated that with all its flaws and irregularities, the elections 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.

Abdullahi also pointed out that In some states, polling units were cancelled due to ballot box snatching and the open intimidation of voters which can instill fears of assault on citizens to go out and vote thereby breaking the basic covenant between the state and its people.

ADC also expressed disappointment over the increase of vote-buying, INEC officials involved in electoral malpractices,and the failure of the Bimodal voter accreditation system, BVAS as it is fast becoming the political culture of electoral process under the ruling all progressives Congress, APC.

The opposition party’s spokesperson noted that the by-elections represent the clearest indication of a dress rehearsal for 2027 and if the electoral commission failed to work on the loopholes encountered, Nigeria may never get it right to conduct a credible exercise.

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

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi-Ata, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the recently held Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency by-election in Kano State, citing widespread violence and electoral malpractice.

Addressing journalists in Kano on Sunday, Abdullahi-Ata alleged that the electoral process was marred by intimidation, attacks, and disenfranchisement, claiming that the level of disruption rendered the election unacceptable.

“Thugs armed with dangerous weapons invaded Bagwai and Shanono Local Government Areas as early as 5 a.m. on election day. They harassed residents, attacked voters, and forcefully took over polling areas,” the minister stated.

According to him, the residence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the constituency was also targeted in the violence, and despite early warnings to security agencies, the situation spiraled out of control.

The by-election was organized to fill the vacant seat following the death of Hon. Halilu Ibrahim-Kundila in April 2024.

However, Abdullahi-Ata said the people of Bagwai/Shanono were ultimately denied their right to vote due to the orchestrated violence.

“The people have waited patiently for this opportunity to elect their representative, only to be met with chaos and fear. What happened on Saturday is not just unfortunate — it is undemocratic,” he said.

He urged INEC to cancel the exercise and schedule a new, credible election, calling for a process that upholds transparency, fairness, and the safety of voters.

In addition, Abdullahi-Ata demanded that security agencies investigate and prosecute those responsible for the violence.

“An election marred by violence is no election at all. The foundation of democracy is the people’s right to vote freely and safely. This must be protected at all costs,” the minister emphasized.

He also appealed to APC supporters and constituents to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting further directives.

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of sabotage and deliberate electoral malpractice.

The elections, held on August 16, saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared winners in two key federal races.

INEC announced Joseph Ikpea as the winner of the Edo Central Senatorial District seat and Omosede Igbinedion as the victor in the Ovia Federal Constituency race.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, the PDP, through the Elections Secretary of its Edo State Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, said the results being circulated by INEC were “embarrassing” and did not reflect the will of the people.

“What we witnessed was not a technical failure but a deliberate sabotage by INEC to provide room for manipulation in cohort with the APC,” Nehikhare stated.

“It was a disgrace to democracy and a gross violation of the people’s right to free and fair elections.”

Nehikhare specifically pointed to the malfunction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the elections, claiming it was not a technical glitch but a calculated move to undermine the electoral process.

“BVAS is the single most important tool guaranteeing the credibility of Nigeria’s elections. What happened on Saturday was not an accident.”

“INEC hid under the guise of glitches and malfunctions, but the real issue is the commission’s lack of competence, neutrality, and moral authority.”

He accused the electoral umpire of colluding with the APC to manipulate the process and give the ruling party an unfair advantage.

The PDP also demanded accountability, saying that in any functional democracy, the INEC leadership would have been sacked and prosecuted for repeated failures to conduct transparent elections.

“Nigerians deserve elections that are free, fair, and credible, not ones where the outcome is predetermined. Until INEC is held accountable and elections are transparently conducted, democracy in Nigeria will remain under siege.”

Soludo,

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has described the outcome of Saturday’s by-elections in the state as a complete rejection of the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring both parties “dead” and “non-existent” in Anambra.

Speaking at a victory celebration in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area on Sunday, Soludo praised the performance of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which won both the Anambra South Senatorial seat and the Onitsha North I State Constituency seat.

“The ADC does not exist in Anambra. We showed it yesterday. Labour Party is dead,” Soludo said, to loud applause from APGA supporters. He accused opposition parties of attempting to use the by-elections to test their strength ahead of the 2027 general elections, but claimed the results proved APGA’s firm control in the state.

“They wanted to use it as a test case for the new concoction called ADC in Anambra, but that election was won by APGA. We won with about 77%, a very emphatic statement. The signal we sent was that both ADC and Labour Party are dead in Anambra,” the governor added.

Soludo also made veiled references to Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, who openly backed ADC candidates in the rerun elections.

“That’s his state constituency; he lives in Onitsha. They brought in everyone, the senators from different zones, House of Reps members, all to fight APGA. But who were they really fighting? The people,” Soludo said.

In the Anambra South Senatorial District race, INEC declared APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu winner with 90,408 votes, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa (19,847 votes) and ADC’s Donald Amangbo (2,889 votes).

The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024.

For the Onitsha North I State Constituency by-election, APGA’s Ifeoma Azikiwe emerged victorious, defeating candidates from ADC, LP, and APC.

ADC’s Justina Azuka, widow of the slain lawmaker Justice Azuka, came second with 1,909 votes.

Soludo used the opportunity to reassert APGA’s dominance in the state ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election, in which he is seeking a second term.

The governor also used the platform to dismiss the emerging opposition coalition linked to Obi and the ADC, suggesting their momentum has already been neutralized in Anambra.

Peter Obi has identified with the ADC-led coalition aiming to build a strong challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s expected re-election bid in 2027.

However, Soludo has dismissed Obi’s campaign as weak and recently criticized politicians proposing single-term presidencies as needing “psychiatric evaluation.”

Soludo, who also recently visited President Tinubu in Abuja, insisted he has “no apologies” for his longstanding friendship with the president, further fueling speculation about his national political alignment ahead of 2027.

Senator Tony Nwoye, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has appointed Mrs. Justina Azuka as his Special Adviser on Special Duties.

Mrs. Azuka is the widow of the late Justice Azuka, the member representing Onitsha North I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, who was abducted on December 24, 2024, and later found dead near the Second Niger Bridge in February 2025.

In a bold move, Justina Azuka stepped into politics to continue her husband’s legacy and contested the August 16, 2025 rerun election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Although she did not win the election, her courage and resilience earned her widespread respect across party lines.

The by-election was held to fill the vacancy left by her late husband.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Barr. Ifeoma Mimih Azikiwe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner with 7,774 votes.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that Justina Azuka came second with 1,909 votes, followed by other candidates.

Senator Nwoye, a close ally of the late lawmaker, had earlier supported Mrs. Azuka’s candidacy and has now appointed her to serve in his office in an advisory capacity

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the bye-election for the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency in Zamfara State inconclusive, citing discrepancies between the vote margin and the number of collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in cancelled polling units.

Announcing the decision, Returning Officer Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, explained that elections were cancelled in two registration areas; Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards, due to irregularities.

In Sakajiki (code 06), two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were affected.

In Kyambarawa (code 05), cancellations occurred in three polling units with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 collected PVCs.

In total, 5,446 voters were registered across the five affected units, with 3,265 PVCs collected.

Preliminary results showed the All Progressives Congress (APC) leading with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed with 5,339 votes, a margin of 1,662.

However, this margin was smaller than the 3,265 PVCs collected in the cancelled polling units, prompting INEC to declare the election inconclusive in accordance with Sections 24 (2 & 3), 47 (3), and 51 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The APC’s Zamfara chapter has responded to the development, expressing appreciation to voters and calling the election “tough” and “tense.”

In a statement issued Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party accused the PDP-led state government of using intimidation tactics during the poll.

“No doubt, the election was tough, tense, and conducted under very harsh conditions as the government in power used all its illegal machinery to threaten and harass the electorate,” the statement read.

“Yet the people remained focused and resilient.”

The party thanked key figures, including Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for their continued support.

The APC also criticized the state government’s performance, stating the poll reflected growing public dissatisfaction.

It warned against any attempt to alter the people’s mandate and urged its supporters to remain calm as the electoral process continues.

“We sincerely thank the people of Kyambarawa, Banga, Sakajiki, Kurya, Dan-Isa, and Kagara for their massive turnout despite intimidation. Any attempt to subvert their will shall be strongly resisted,” the statement concluded.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Folajimi Oyekunle, has won the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election held in Oyo State on Saturday, August 16.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Oyekunle the winner at the collation centre in Ikolaba High School, Ibadan, on Sunday.

The declaration was made by the Returning Officer, Dr. Abiodun Oluwadare.

Oyekunle secured 18,404 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Adewale Olatunji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 8,312 votes.

Other candidates trailed far behind, with Femi Akin-Alamu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polling 88 votes, Olabisi Olajumoke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) earning 40 votes, and Hammed Badmus of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) recording 18 votes.

“Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes, I hereby declare Folajimi Oyekunle of the PDP as the winner of the election,” said Dr. Oluwadare.

The bye-election was conducted to fill the vacant seat left by the death of Hon. Olaide Akinremi, a member of the APC and former chairman of the House Committee on Science and Research, who passed away on July 10, 2025.

Dr. Ali Kiyawa, candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has emerged victorious in the Bagwai/Shanono State Assembly bye-election held in Kano State.

The result was officially announced early Sunday morning by the Returning Officer, Professor Hassan Shitu, who declared Kiyawa the winner with 16,198 votes.

His closest rival, Ahmad Kadamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), garnered 5,347 votes.

While the Bagwai/Shanono result was declared, tensions flared over the ongoing by-election in the Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency.

Several NNPP officials staged a sit-in protest at the INEC office in Kano, alleging attempts to manipulate the outcome of that election.

According to Sanusi Tofa, spokesperson for the Kano State Governor, the party members vowed not to vacate the premises until the final results were released.

In a statement issued on Saturday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka called for an immediate cancellation of both the Shanono/Bagwai bye-election and the Ghari rerun election.

He cited reports of violence, voter intimidation, and disruptions by armed thugs across multiple polling units.

“Verifiable reports from Shanono, Bagwai, and Ghari show voters fleeing due to violence, with security forces unable to contain the chaos,” Morka said.

“Continuing with these elections in such conditions undermines democratic principles and threatens electoral credibility.”

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest of 288 individuals allegedly attempting to disrupt the elections.

The suspects, reportedly affiliated with political actors, were found in possession of dangerous weapons.

Police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna, disclosed the arrests on Saturday, stating that they occurred in several local government areas where the elections were being held.

“As of 1 p.m. Saturday, 288 suspected thugs had been apprehended with dangerous weapons,” Haruna confirmed.

“They are being investigated for their roles in the attempted disruption of the electoral process.”

Dr. Joseph Ikpea, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared the winner of the Edo Central Senatorial Bye-Election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The result was announced in the early hours of Sunday by the Returning Officer, Professor Kingsley Omo-Iwoze, at the collation centre in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area.

According to the official results, Ikpea secured 105,129 votes, defeating his closest rival, Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 15,146 votes.

“I, Prof. Omo-Iwoze, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the 2025 Edo Central Senatorial District bye-election held on August 16, 2025,” the declaration read. “That Joseph Ikpea of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner of the election.”

In his post-election remarks, Ikpea attributed his victory to divine providence and the overwhelming support of the people of Edo Central.

“This is a victory for vision over sentiment, and for progress over politics-as-usual,” he said. “I am humbled by the trust reposed in me and will not disappoint the people.”

He pledged to work closely with community leaders, his party, and the state government to ensure effective representation, promising to prioritize infrastructure, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, and strengthening traditional institutions.

Ikpea also praised Governor Monday Okpebholo, whose election earlier this year led to the Senate seat becoming vacant.

He described the governor as a “strategic and selfless leader”, and credited him as a key influence in his campaign.

“Governor Okpebholo’s leadership has been a stabilizing force. His unwavering support contributed immensely to our victory.”

The Edo Central senatorial seat became vacant after Monday Okpebholo, the former senator representing the district, was elected and sworn in as Governor of Edo State.

INEC subsequently declared the seat vacant and scheduled the August 16 bye-election to fill the position.