The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other opposition parties on Sunday traded words over the outcome of the legislative by-elections held on Saturday across 16 constituencies in 12 states.
While the APC clinched the majority of the seats, the PDP made gains in Oyo and Adamawa States, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) secured victory in Kano, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) triumphed in Anambra State. However, the ADC adopted on July 1 as the coalition platform of key opposition leaders including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai failed to win any constituency.
Breakdown of Results:
APC – 12 constituencies; APGA – 2 constituencies; PDP – 1 constituency (Ibadan North, Oyo State) and NNPP – 1 constituency (Kano State).
In a statement, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the exercise as “a sad reflection of how far Nigeria’s electoral process has been corrupted under President Bola Tinubu.”
The party alleged widespread irregularities, including: Vote buying (with one suspect caught with N25.9m cash); Violence and intimidation, with nearly 300 thugs reportedly arrested; Ballot box snatching and cancellation of polling units; Complicity of electoral officials and failure of BVAS technology
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Abdullahi insisted the polls were not a true measure of the opposition coalition’s strength ahead of 2027, stressing that “democracy itself, just like the economy and security, continues to decline under Tinubu and the APC.”
Conversely, the APC hailed the outcome as a “clear endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka commended Nigerians for their support, while also praising security agencies and INEC for what he described as the “smooth conduct” of the polls.
President Tinubu, in a statement by his aide Bayo Onanuga, congratulated the APC’s newly elected lawmakers and hailed the party’s new National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for delivering his first major electoral victory.
“Our destination is a better, more secure, and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” Tinubu said.
Kaduna: APC dominated the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Zaria Kewaye, and Basawa state assembly by-elections.
Ogun: Princess Adesola Elegbeji of APC won the Remo Federal Constituency seat with 41,237 votes against PDP’s 14,324. Governor Dapo Abiodun described it as “a new chapter” for Ogun politics.
Edo: Governor Monday Okpebholo said APC’s victories in Edo signaled an easy win for Tinubu in 2027. The PDP, however, rejected the results, accusing INEC of sabotage and deliberate manipulation.
Adamawa: PDP Chairman Shehu Tahir accused a police AIG of shielding APC leaders allegedly caught with electoral materials. The state APC dismissed the claims, praising INEC for a free and fair contest.
However, Ogun Police arrested two INEC officials with ₦2.5m allegedly meant for vote buying.
Zamfara: INEC declared the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency by-election inconclusive, after cancelled polling units left the APC-PDP margin smaller than the number of collected PVCs.
Meanwhile, the PDP rejected results in Edo, Jigawa, and Adamawa, alleging vote buying, intimidation, and INEC’s compromise. In Oyo State, however, the party celebrated a major win in Ibadan North Federal Constituency, reclaiming the seat for the first time since 2011.
