Opposition leaders and their supporters were left disappointed after the recently concluded re-run and bye-elections held across 12 states on Saturday, as major political parties—the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—outperformed the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform adopted by the coalition of opposition forces.

Prior to the election, leaders from the opposition coalition—who are strategizing for the 2027 general elections and seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu—had used the ADC to gauge their political influence. Senator David Mark, the interim National Chairman of the ADC, had appealed to Nigerians to support the party’s candidates across the affected constituencies.

Prominent figures including Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai actively campaigned for ADC candidates in Anambra, Kaduna, Edo, and other states.

Despite these efforts, the APC secured the majority of the contested seats. The PDP and NNPP also recorded limited successes, while the ADC failed to win any.

In Enugu State, the much-anticipated re-run for the Enugu South Urban Constituency was again disrupted. A clash occurred at polling units in Uwani Boys Secondary School, with the PDP, APC, and Labour Party blaming one another for the crisis—the fourth disruption of this particular election.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC won 12 seats, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured two, while the NNPP and PDP won one seat each.

Vacant seats filled during the exercise included those in Edo Central Senatorial District, Anambra South Senatorial District, Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Onitsha North 1, and Bagwai/Shanono Constituency.

Elections Tainted by Apathy, Vote-Buying, and Violence

Low voter turnout, vote-buying, and violence were reported in multiple states, including Ogun, Kaduna, Anambra, and Kano.

Ogun State
In Ogun, social media was flooded with videos allegedly showing attempts to buy votes. Security operatives arrested two PDP chieftains and two suspected INEC officials with large sums of money at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, just hours before voting began.

Kaduna State
In Kaduna, a suspect was arrested around 3:30 a.m. on election day with bags reportedly containing N25 million in cash, allegedly meant for vote-buying. The PDP was accused of planning to distribute the cash at polling units, but the party’s state chairman, Edward Marshal, denied the claims, stating the funds were for logistical support and accredited agents.

Kano State
Security agencies arrested around 288 individuals with dangerous weapons across four local government areas during the elections. According to the state police spokesperson, the suspects intended to disrupt the electoral process. Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and the individuals will face prosecution.

Anambra State
Violence was also reported in Anambra, where the APC's governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, in Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area. Governor Chukwuma Soludo later confirmed the attack after casting his vote in Aguata LGA.

Edo Labour Party Alleges Intimidation and Fraud

In Edo State, the Labour Party accused the APC of using intimidation and electoral malpractice to manipulate the by-elections. The party’s state chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, described the elections as a continuation of APC's tactics involving vote-buying, violence, and oppression.

When asked whether the Labour Party would challenge the outcome in court, Ogbaloi stated that they do not intend to pursue legal action, citing a lack of faith in the electoral system and more pressing internal matters. He added, “There is no assurance of justice when the APC appears to have hijacked the process.”

ADC Rejects Outcome, Cites Corruption and Intimidation

The African Democratic Congress expressed strong dissatisfaction with the outcome of the elections. According to a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the results do not accurately reflect the party’s support base, especially considering its role as a unifying platform for opposition parties.

He further argued that the by-elections revealed continued deterioration in Nigeria’s electoral integrity under the current administration, citing widespread reports of intimidation and corruption.