Recent by-elections held across various states in Nigeria have been characterized by a mix of security measures, incidents of violence, allegations of malpractice, and diverse electoral outcomes. Security agencies, particularly the police, played a crucial role in managing the electoral process, implementing strict directives to ensure order and prevent disruptions.

In Anambra State, the police command took proactive steps to maintain security during Saturday’s by-election duties for the Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha North State Constituency. The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Godwin Eze, the supervisory officer for election security, explicitly prohibited members of state vigilante operatives, hunters, and other quasi-security outfits from participating in election duties, emphasizing that only duly accredited security personnel would be allowed. Furthermore, restrictions on vehicular movement were enforced from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in affected local government areas, including Nnewi North and South, Orumba North and South, Ekwusigo, Aguata, Ihiala, Onitsha North Constituency 1, and Awka South. This measure was designed to deter criminal activities, reduce electoral violence, and safeguard voters and officials. The by-elections in Anambra were necessitated by vacancies created by the deaths of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and Justice Azuka.

Conversely, by-elections in Kano State, specifically for Shanono/Bagwai and Tsanyawa/Ghari constituencies, were marred by significant violence and disruptions. The All Progressives Congress (APC) called for the total cancellation of these elections following the arrest of approximately 288 political thugs found with dangerous weapons at different polling units. The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, cited widespread extreme violence and election disruption, with verifiable reports indicating voters fleeing polling areas and security personnel being overwhelmed. The Kano State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the arrests by the Kano State Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). Recovered weapons included a pump action rifle, four locally made guns, bows and arrows, cutlasses, knives, stones, catapults, and clubs. The Commissioner of Police, CP Bakori, issued a stern warning against electoral manipulation, violence, and malpractice. The Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, also confirmed over 100 arrests in Bagwai Local Government Area, noting that despite logistic delays and thuggery, an effective security presence mitigated some challenges.

In Adamawa State, the APC secured a victory in the Ganye state constituency by-election, with Misa Musa of the APC polling 15,923 votes against Buba Muhammad of the PDP who got 15,794. Other parties received minimal votes. Despite a heavy security presence led by AIG Tayo Adeleke, the election was not without controversy. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged widespread election irregularities, including ballot box snatching and vote buying orchestrated by the APC. Miracle Musa, special adviser to Governor Umar Fintiri on Media, specifically accused Mustapha Salihu, the APC North-East vice chairman, of attempting to rig the exercise by hiding sensitive electoral materials in his vehicle. A video showed Mr. Salihu surrounded by police and residents demanding to search his vehicle, though it was not confirmed if a ballot box was found. The PDP called for the cancellation of the election results.

Meanwhile, in Jigawa State’s Garki/Babura Federal Constituency by-election, the APC consolidated its dominance. The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, refuted false social media reports claiming he lost his polling unit to the opposition PDP. He clarified that his actual polling unit, Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School Polling Unit 002, recorded an APC victory with 188 votes against PDP’s 164. The mix-up arose from results of Polling Unit 001, which favored the PDP but was mistakenly attributed to the minister. The APC candidate, Mukhtar Rabiu, ultimately won the overall by-election with 38,449 votes, significantly outpacing PDP’s Isah Auwalu Manzo (13,519 votes) and others. This by-election was necessitated by the death of the incumbent representative, Isa Dogonyaro. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported that the APC secured a majority of seats in recent by-elections conducted across 16 federal and state constituencies in 12 states, further solidifying its political stronghold.