Bye-election: ADC tests popularity as 17 parties, 637 candidates battle for 68 seats
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), recently adopted by the coalition of opposition leaders plotting to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, has vowed to secure multiple victories in the nationwide by-elections scheduled for today.
PulseNets learned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is overseeing polls in 16 constituencies spread across 12 states of the federation.
According to details, two Senators are to be elected in Edo Central and Anambra South, while additional contests will hold in five federal constituencies located in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo States. Similarly, nine state assembly seats are up for grabs across Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara.
INEC is also conducting fresh elections in Enugu South I State Constituency (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency (Kano State) following court-ordered reruns.
Most of these seats became vacant due to court litigation losses, deaths, or voluntary resignations, PulseNets reported. Notably, the Edo Central senatorial position was vacated after Senator Monday Okpebholo resigned to assume the governorship.
ADC’s First Real Test
Today’s by-elections are significant as they represent the first electoral test since the coalition of opposition leaders officially adopted the ADC as their common platform ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
PulseNets learnt that heavyweights such as Senator David Mark (Interim National Chairman of ADC), Atiku Abubakar, and former governors Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, among others, have been actively campaigning under the ADC banner.
Analysts told PulseNets that the outcome of these bye-elections will provide an early indication of ADC’s grassroots strength against the APC in the build-up to 2027.
Peter Obi’s Controversial Move in Anambra
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi stirred controversy last week after being spotted campaigning for the ADC candidate in the Onitsha North I House of Assembly bye-election, despite claiming loyalty to the Labour Party.
Although Obi remains a central figure among opposition leaders bent on removing President Tinubu in 2027, his decision to back an ADC candidate in Anambra sparked political confusion.
When asked, Hon. Emeh Ugochukwu Emmanuel, Labour Party Chairman in Anambra, told PulseNets on Friday that the blame rests squarely on INEC:
“INEC deceived Peter Obi. INEC cunningly inserted our logo on ballot papers but refused to upload details of our candidates so Peter Obi saw that as something he could not condone and decided to campaign for the ADC.”
He explained further that the ADC’s Onitsha candidate was originally meant to contest on the Labour Party’s platform before INEC’s actions forced a switch.
“The ADC candidate in Onitsha is our candidate, she would have contested under the Labour Party but because of what INEC did, we decided that she should run using ADC.
Now, the court has ordered the INEC to upload the details of our candidates, so right now, the Labour Party is contesting.”
Emmanuel stressed that although the woman is not running under Labour, the party views her as part of their political family:
“It is a kind of compensation for the family. Although she is not in our party, she is still one of us.”
El-Rufai Rallies Kaduna for ADC
In Kaduna, former governor Nasir El-Rufai openly campaigned for ADC’s Alex Adamu in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, urging voters to support the opposition platform.
PulseNets reported that his presence in Chikun LGA earlier this week went viral, sparking debates over his continued ties to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he still holds membership.
Also Read: Labour Party Tells Members to Shun Obi’s ADC Endorsement, Blasts His Desperation to Be President
El-Rufai later released a video on his verified handle clarifying that while he supported ADC’s candidate in Chikun, he equally urged voters in Zaria and Sabon Gari to back SDP aspirants.
Security Tensions in Anambra and Kaduna
As the elections unfold, security concerns loom large, particularly in Anambra and Kaduna, where bandits and gunmen have unleashed waves of violence.
A senior security source spoke to PulseNets on Friday, warning that voter turnout could be drastically low in Anambra due to fear of attacks:
“People are likely not to turn up much for election due to stories of gunmen attacks. No matter the presence of police and army, the gunmen will still strike if they mean it. So many people may not participate in the election due to fear. That would pave the way for the ruling party to rig the election in their favour.”
To counter this, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has deployed senior officers nationwide, including Assistant Inspectors-General, Commissioners of Police, Mobile Force units, and Special Intervention Squads to ensure adequate security.
Final Thoughts
Today’s by-elections are more than just routine replacements; they represent the first real test of strength for the ADC-led opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. With figures like Peter Obi and El-Rufai visibly aligning with ADC candidates, and with the shadow of insecurity hanging over states like Anambra and Kaduna, the outcome of these contests could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
