Disappointment as APC, PDP and NNPP Eclipse Coalition’s ADC in Contentious Bye-Elections
A coalition of opposition leaders and their supporters got a shocker following the outcome of the just-concluded re-run and bye-elections, which held in 12 states across Nigeria on Saturday, PulseNets learnt.
Before the polls, PulseNets had reported that the coalition of opposition figures — who are quietly building momentum ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s possible removal bid in 2027 — participated under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a test of popularity and strength.
The interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, had earlier appealed to Nigerians, particularly eligible voters, to rally behind the party’s candidates in all vacant seats.
Similarly, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other influential members of the coalition vigorously campaigned for ADC’s flag bearers in Anambra, Kaduna, Edo and other states.
However, PulseNets reported that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) swept the majority of the contested seats. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) managed to secure some wins, while the ADC failed to clinch a single seat.
In Enugu State, the much-anticipated Enugu South Urban Constituency re-run election ended in yet another stalemate. A clash at the Uwani Boys Secondary School polling units forced a suspension of the exercise. Parties involved — APC, PDP, and Labour Party — traded accusations. PulseNets gathered that this marked the fourth failed attempt to conclude the election.
At the time of filing this report, figures released by INEC showed APC winning 12 seats, APGA two seats, while PDP and NNPP claimed one seat each.
The vacant seats in Edo Central Senatorial District, Anambra South Senatorial District, Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Onitsha North 1, and Bagwai Shanono Constituency were shared among APC, PDP, APGA, and NNPP.
Bye-Elections Marred by Low Turnout, Vote-Buying and Violence
PulseNets learnt that the bye-elections were plagued by voter apathy, vote buying, and violence in several states including Ogun, Kaduna, Anambra, and Kano.
Ogun State
Videos circulated online on Saturday morning showing suspects allegedly attempting to buy votes. Security operatives, comprising police officers and DSS personnel, arrested two PDP chieftains and two suspected INEC officials at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne LGA. A huge sum of cash allegedly earmarked for vote-buying was recovered.
Kaduna State
PulseNets reported that as early as 3:30 am on election day, security agents intercepted a suspected vote-buyer with ₦25 million in cash meant to compromise polling units. Intelligence suggested the money was linked to PDP operatives.
However, Edward Marshal, PDP chairman in Kaduna, dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” insisting the money was only meant for party logistics and accredited agents.
Kano State
According to police, 288 suspected political thugs were arrested across four LGAs with dangerous weapons. Police PRO, Abdullahi Haruna, told PulseNets that the suspects were apprehended while plotting to disrupt voting. He assured that, “the suspects will be charged to court immediately the ongoing investigation is concluded.”
Anambra State
Violence broke out in parts of Anambra. PulseNets learnt that APC governorship candidate Nicholas Ukachukwu allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with the State Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, at Ezinifite, Nnewi South LGA.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, after casting his vote in Isuofia, Aguata LGA, accused political thugs of attacking his commissioner during the exercise.
Labour Party Alleges Manipulation in Edo By-Elections
The Labour Party (LP) in Edo accused the APC of using intimidation and vote-buying to claim victory.
Speaking to PulseNets, Edo State LP Chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, said:
“The by-election was nothing different from the usual tactic of the APC. It was still the old tactic of fraud, vote buying, violence and oppression being meted against opposition parties.”
When asked if LP would head to court, Ogbaloi told PulseNets:
“We don’t intend to seek any redress because already, our party has issues with INEC. We have other pressing issues that need our attention more than going to court over the election. There is no assurance of getting justice when the APC has hijacked everything.”
ADC Rejects Results, Says Outcome Does Not Reflect True Strength
The ADC, serving as the coalition’s platform, rejected the results of the elections.
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In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, told PulseNets that the process was marred by intimidation, corruption, and irregularities, insisting the outcome does not reflect ADC’s true popularity.
According to him, the exercise “once again highlighted the decline of Nigeria’s electoral process under the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu and the APC.”
