The All Progressives Congress suffered defeats in four key by-elections held across Anambra, Kano, and Oyo States.
Rival parties including the All Progressives Grand Alliance, New Nigeria People’s Party, and Peoples Democratic Party secured victories, signalling a shift in regional political momentum. APC faced major setbacks in the weekend bye-election as APGA, PDP, and NNPP claimed key victories.
The Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed the results on Sunday, August 17, following contests triggered by legislative vacancies.
In the Anambra South Senatorial District, APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu emerged as the winner, defeating APC’s Azuka Okwuosa by a wide margin. According to INEC Returning Officer in Nnewi, Frank Ojiako, Nwachukwu polled 90,408 votes, while Okwuosa secured 19,847 votes. Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress came third with 2,889 votes.
The election was held to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024. A total of 12 political parties contested the seat.
In another setback for the APC, the APGA’s Ifeoma Azikiwe won the Anambra House of Assembly by-election for Onitsha North Constituency 1. INEC’s Returning Officer, Ibiam Ekpe, announced that Azikiwe had received 7,774 votes. Justina Azuka of the ADC followed with 1,909 votes, the APC’s Ezennia Ojekwe polled 1,371 votes, and Njideka Ndiwe of the Young Progressives Party scored 655 votes.
In Kano State, the NNPP secured victory in the Bagwai/Shanono State Assembly by-election. The party candidate, Ali Alhassan, won with 16,198 votes, defeating the APC candidate, who garnered only 5,347 votes. The election was conducted to fill the seat left vacant by the death of the former law-maker representing the constituency. The INEC’s Returning Officer, Hassan Shitu, confirmed the result on Sunday.
In Oyo State, the PDP claimed the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat. Fola Oyekunle was declared the winner by INEC Returning Officer, Abiodun Oluwadare, after polling 18,404 votes. Adewale Olatunji of the APC followed with 8,312 votes. Meanwhile, Femi Akin-Alamu of the ADC received 88 votes, while Olabisi Olajumoke of APGA scored 40 votes.
The APC lost four major by-elections across three states. In Anambra South Senatorial District, APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu defeated Azuka Okwuosa of the APC. In Onitsha North Constituency 1, APGA’s Ifeoma Azikiwe beat APC’s Ezennia Ojekwe. In Bagwai/Shanono, NNPP’s Ali Alhassan overcame the APC candidate. In Ibadan North Federal Constituency, PDP’s Fola Oyekunle triumphed over APC’s Adewale Olatunji.
Opposition parties dominated the by-election, defeating APC in four strategic constituencies. It was delight in the camps of Governors Uba Sani (Kaduna), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo state), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) as results of the by-elections in parts of the country went hugely in favour of the candidates they had spent much time campaigning for in the last few months.
On the contrary, the candidates of Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, and those of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, had an outing to forget.