Political Earthquake: APC Dominates By-Elections, PDP Holds Rivers

The recent by-elections conducted across several Nigerian states over the weekend witnessed a division of victories between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filling vacant federal and state legislative seats. The APC demonstrated its strength by securing wins in Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kano, and Enugu states, while the PDP successfully defended and retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.

In the Nasarawa North Senatorial District, the APC candidate, Halilu Dangadi Envwulanza, successfully reclaimed the seat. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Professor Aminu Ali, announced the results at the Collation Centre in Akwanga. Envwulanza secured a total of 45,362 votes, surpassing Maku Labaran of the Labour Party who received 12,931 votes, and Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the PDP who garnered 11,570 votes. Other candidates included Alaku Mohammed Steve of the ADC with 1,496 votes and John Wall Araneshiri of the NNPP with 102 votes. This by-election was necessitated by the passing of Senator Godiya Akwashiki in December 2025. Although Governor Abdullahi Sule commended INEC for the orderly conduct and INEC described the exercise as transparent despite minor technical hitches, Labour Party agents, led by Dr. Ben Ango, protested and staged a walkout, alleging BVAS glitches and ballot irregularities.

Kebbi State also saw an APC victory in the by-election for the Zuru State Constituency seat in the State House of Assembly. Rabiu Garba Aiki of the APC emerged triumphant with 4,871 votes, defeating the Labour Party candidate, Aliyu Galadima Muhammad, who managed 168 votes. Professor Muhammad Bashar Danladi, the Returning Officer, reported that out of 109,385 registered voters, 5,156 were accredited. A total of 5,055 valid votes were recorded, with 95 votes rejected. The by-election was held to fill the vacancy created by the recent death of Mohammed Usman Zuru, the former representative for Zuru Constituency, in Cairo, Egypt.

The APC further extended its winning streak in Kano State, where its candidate, Rabiu Shuaibu, secured victory in the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election. Professor Umar Sani, the Returning Officer, declared Shuaibu the winner after he polled 35,356 votes. His closest contenders were Lawal Haruna of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) with 268 votes and Abubakar Muhammad of the Labour Party with 98 votes. This election was conducted under strict security across Dawakin Kudu and Warawa local government areas to fill the vacancy left by the death of Muhammad Hassan of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

In Enugu State, the APC celebrated a significant win in the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, with Chief Ikeje Asogwa declared the winner. Asogwa received a substantial 162,360 votes out of 184,094 votes cast, while Dr. Nestor Ezeme of the PDP polled 9,299 votes. The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, Dr. Ben Nwoye, lauded the support from Governor Peter Mbah and party leaders for ensuring an enabling political environment and a hitch-free election despite heavy rainfall. Nwoye also expressed gratitude to party members for their massive turnout, affirming that the national leadership under Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda would not take their support for granted.

On the other hand, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) successfully held onto the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat. Its candidate, Olaka Nwogu, emerged victorious in the by-election, securing 46,961 votes. Professor Rosemary Ogu, the Returning Officer, announced the results at the senatorial district collation centre in Bori. Nwogu defeated Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari of the APC, who scored 1,647 votes, Douglas Fabeke of the Action Alliance with 1,175 votes, and Sam Kinani of the Labour Party with 367 votes. The by-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Barry Mpigi in February, with four political parties participating across the seven local government areas of the senatorial district: Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Oyigbo, and Opobo/Nkoro.