• ADC-SDP coalition accuses APC of plotting to disrupt Kaduna polls
• Ogun govt used police to disrupt campaign, opposition party alleges
• INEC relocates units in Niger over insecurity, govt shuts border with N’Republic
• 3.5m voters to elect two senators, five reps, nine lawmakers in 12 states
• Commission delivers sensitive materials, deploys 30,451 ad-hoc staff
• Analysis: The political parties, the battlegrounds, and the contestants
Political tensions are running high ahead of tomorrow’s by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states, with rival parties trading allegations of sabotage, mobilising supporters, and bracing for a showdown widely viewed as a litmus test for the battles that could shape Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
In Kaduna State, a joint coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of recruiting about 4,000 thugs to disrupt the elections in Chikun/Kajuru, Sabon Gari, and Zaria federal and state constituencies.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, ADC North-West Vice Chairman, Jafa’aru Ibrahim Sani, alleged that the APC-led state government was planning to sabotage the polls through violence, inducement of electoral officials, and vote-buying.
He claimed local councils had been compelled to contribute N30 million each to an “election sabotage fund,” while an additional N4.8 billion from Abuja would be used to compromise officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and influence results.
Sani alleged that senior state officials had held secret meetings with INEC personnel and were recruiting thugs to attack opposition rallies. He urged INEC to recall any compromised staff and called on security agencies to protect voters’ rights.
However, in a swift response, Commissioners for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, and Local Government Affairs, Mamman Lagos, dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Maiyaki accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy, insisting Governor Uba Sani was committed to free and fair polls and would not undermine election integrity.
Reports from across the 12 states where by-elections will be held suggest that the contests are shaping up to be a test of strength between the Federal Government and incumbent governors in PDP-controlled states. In APC strongholds, the battle appears set between the ruling party and the ADC-led coalition.
Former ADC national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, said preliminary field reports did not indict INEC but pointed to what he described as the ruling APC’s “desperation to capture all 16 by-elections as part of its 2027 national takeover strategy.”
He maintained that, despite perceptions that by-elections may be insignificant, the APC was “not leaving any stone unturned,” and urged Nigerians, particularly INEC staff, not to aid any party in subverting the process.
In the same vein, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress and former Senate President, David Mark, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct tomorrow’s by-elections with fairness, transparency, and integrity to avoid further eroding public trust. “Let the votes count. Let the people decide. That is the true test of democracy,” he said.
Also, the ADC accused the Ogun State Government of deploying security agencies to frustrate its campaign activities ahead of tomorrow’s by-election for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.
The party alleged that despite formally notifying the police of its campaign plans through an acknowledged letter, its rally was disrupted on Thursday at the Tamotoye roundabout, Ishara.
ADC claimed that canopies were dismantled, chairs broken, musical instruments seized, and an armoured tank deployed to intimidate its candidate, leaders, and supporters.
Speaking on the development, the party’s State Chairman, Femi Soluade, described the incident as “an aberration in our body politics” and “a display of anti-democratic tendencies”. He alleged that police operatives were being used to harass ADC members, particularly after the arrival of the party’s interim national secretary, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
Soluade said the police had earlier approved the campaign itinerary but later barricaded the rally venue and denied access. “Let it be clear. ADC will not be intimidated. We are the credible alternative and the voice of the people. Ogun State and indeed Nigerians have embraced us because they are tired of oppression, tired of intimidation, and tired of a government that uses security agencies as attack dogs against the opposition,” he said.
The party’s candidate for the by-election, Solomon Osho, also criticised the disruption, describing it as unfair. He said the location had been used by other political parties for their campaigns in recent days without incident.
“The party had chosen Tamotoye roundabout in Ishara for its rally but was told by the Divisional Police Officer that the location could not be used as it would block the road. Other political parties have used the same venue in the last two days without any problem. Why are we being prevented? This is not democratic,” Osho said.
In Niger State, INEC was forced relocate polling units in five wards of Munya Local Council to safer locations, citing security concerns. State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ahmed Yushau Garki, disclosed this in Minna yesterday after receiving sensitive election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He said the move was aimed at safeguarding voters and election officials.
The affected wards are Kuchi, Beni, Dangunu, Kabila, and Kazai. “Though it has been reported that peace has returned to these areas, we do not want to take any chances,” Garki said.
He confirmed that all materials, including fully charged BVAS machines, are ready for deployment, with no fewer than 500 officials participating in the exercise. The police and INEC, he added, had jointly inspected the materials delivered from Abuja and found them intact.
Similarly, authorities have announced the temporary closure of Nigeria’s border with the Niger Republic to prevent cross-border crimes and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Dahiru Muhammad, said the border will be closed from midnight today to 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. He said the measure, agreed during a meeting between INEC officials and security agencies in Dutse, is aimed at preventing external interference in the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency by-election. Muhammad said a three-layer security arrangement—outer, middle, and inner—will be deployed across polling units to ensure a peaceful exercise.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said all non-sensitive materials had been delivered to the states, while sensitive materials were scheduled for delivery before the end of yesterday (Thursday).
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said in a statement that election technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), had also been configured.
Reminding political parties and candidates that campaigns ended at midnight yesterday, Olumekun urged stakeholders, including party agents, voters, observers and the media, to strictly comply with electoral laws, regulations and guidelines.
Analysis: The political parties, battlegrounds, and contestants…
A bevvy of political parties across 12 states are in for a showdown this weekend as they attempt to outdo each other in by-elections for vacant positions in the Senate, House of Representatives, and state assemblies. The polls are at the behest of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The affected seats became vacant either by death or court pronouncements, which nullified the election of earlier occupants, as well as by a change of position by the earlier winner.
The 16 by-elections across 12 states are taking place in Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Taraba and Zamfara states. At stake are two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies. The senatorial by-elections will be held in Anambra South and Edo Central.
The House of Representatives’ by-elections will take place in Ovia North East/Ovia South West Federal Constituency, Edo State; Babura/Garki Federal Constituency, Jigawa; Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Kaduna; Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, Ogun; and Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo.
The nine state constituency by-elections will be held in Ganye Constituency, Adamawa; Onitsha North Constituency, Anambra; Bagwai and Chikun/Kajuru constituencies, Kaduna; Shanono/Bagwai Constituency, Kano; Okura III Constituency, Kogi; Munya Constituency, Niger; Karim Lamido Constituency, Taraba, and Kaura Namoda South Constituency, in Zamfara State.
A document released by INEC disclosed that 3,553,659 registered voters are expected to participate in the exercise, which will require the deployment of 30,451 ad-hoc staff.
The Anambra South seat became vacant following the death, in 2024, of its occupant, Ifeanyi Ubah, while the Edo Central seat became vacant because of the election of Monday Okpebholo as Edo State governor.
In Anambra State, there are indications that political parties contesting the November 8 governorship election will use the senatorial by-election to test their acceptability and strength ahead of the gubernatorial poll.
These parties include the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), and the new coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Each party has lined up its candidate for the election.
Ubah, who won the election during the 2023 polls on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) later that year. Since his burial in November last year, political parties in the state have jostled to produce his successor.
However, the announcement of the election date appears to have jolted the parties into renewed action. The APC, which inherited the seat through Ubah’s defection, has insisted on retaining it.
The primary election held for aspirants produced a former governorship aspirant, Chief Azuka Okwuosa. Okwuosa, who is the Secretary-General of the South-East Development Initiative (SEDI), defeated Mr Obinna Uzor with 470 votes against Uzor’s 57 votes.
A former governorship contender on the APGA platform, Okwuosa was with the PDP between 1999 and 2003. Okwuosa will contend with Chuma Nzeribe, who emerged as the Labour Party candidate after defeating Emeka Anagwu in the party’s primary.
The ruling APGA has conceded its ticket for the election to Chief Emma Nwachukwu, while the PDP’s ticket has been claimed by former political godfather, Chief Chris Ubah.
The Action People’s Party (APP) nominated Chief Eusebius Onyemelukwe, while the new coalition, ADC, picked Donald Amamgbo. Although the election is confined to one senatorial zone, much is being invested by parties to secure victory. Those who observed the primaries across party lines note the seriousness of the contenders in mobilising votes.
Sources say the poll will be fiercely contested, with parties using it to demonstrate their readiness for the November 8 governorship election. The APC, whose occupation of the seat ended with Ubah’s death, has argued that a win would showcase its rising acceptability in the state and mark the first time it would win a competitive race at this level. The party believes victory would boost its governorship chances.
Okwuosa recently told The Guardian that the senatorial by-election was as important as any other in the state, stressing that the APC would retain the seat in memory of the late Ubah. He also said the state desired to return to politics at the centre, arguing that APGA’s dominance had not spurred Anambra’s development.
“Our mission is to return Anambra State to the centre of Nigerian politics. This is the right time to do so, and it will begin with the Anambra South Senatorial by-election,” Okwuosa stated.
However, much will depend on APGA’s performance. Despite dominating the state’s politics since 1999, it has not won any senatorial election. With a government it describes as “performing” and a major election looming, expectations are high that victory would strengthen its hold on the state.
Chief Emma Nwachukwu, who secured APGA’s senatorial ticket, is not a career politician but a financial expert whose experience may prove valuable.
After clinching the ticket, he pledged to work hard to win and “truly restore APGA in the zone,” insisting that the outcome would significantly influence the November 8 governorship race.
Also in contention in the state is the Onitsha North 1 constituency seat, formerly occupied by Justice Azuka, who was abducted and murdered in December last year.
Although Azuka was from APGA, the party did not give the ticket to his widow. Instead, she has been adopted as the joint candidate of the Labour Party and ADC.
IN Oyo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have intensified their war of words ahead of the by-election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency.
The poll follows the death of the former occupant, Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi, in July 2024. At the APC campaign flag-off in Bodija International Market, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, urged party members to avoid confrontation, insisting that the election was about consolidating President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and sustaining the legacy of the late Akinremi. He described the PDP as having “nothing to offer” and advised supporters to “speak with your votes, not with violence.”
Backing the party’s candidate, Adewale Haastrup Olatunji (popularly known as Murphy), Adelabu stressed that the poll was a referendum on the ruling party’s performance at the federal level.
The PDP, however, accused the APC of breeding instability through “chaotic” internal primaries and imposed candidates. In a statement, the party cautioned against turning Oyo into a “war zone” and reaffirmed support for its candidate, Folajinmi Oyekunle (Don).
Governor Seyi Makinde, while campaigning for Oyekunle, described him as a tested representative and former Deputy Chief of Staff, adding that the election would prove “Oyo State belongs to the PDP.”
INEC has cleared five candidates for the contest, including those from the APC, PDP, ADC, APGA, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Both parties view the poll as a crucial test of strength ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the APC seeking to consolidate its influence and the PDP aiming to reaffirm its dominance in the state.
The PDP is banking not only on state power to defeat the APC but also on internal disquiet within the APC to gain an advantage on Saturday. Observers note that the by-election will also reflect the popularity and influence of Governor Makinde, seen as the PDP’s political symbol in Oyo and across the South-West.
The race will further expose the weak positioning of minor parties in the state. While over 18 political parties contested the 2023 gubernatorial election, INEC has reduced the number participating in Saturday’s poll to just five.
IN Ogun State, political parties have intensified preparations for the House of Representatives contest in Remo Federal Constituency. INEC has cleared the PDP, APC, Labour Party (LP) and ADC to participate. Campaigns, which began weeks ago, will end 24 hours before polling.
However, tension is mounting as candidates test their popularity. The PDP’s candidate, Bolarinwa Oluwole, has accused the ruling APC of intimidation and creating “unnecessary tension” ahead of the polls. He alleged that the APC-led government denied the PDP access to strategic billboard locations for campaign materials.
Political observers note that Remo Federal Constituency has been a PDP stronghold since the return to democracy in 1999, with the influence of former representative Ladi Adebutu still felt. However, the APC insists it has the clout to take the seat, citing its control of the state government and the political structure of the late Adewunmi Onanuga, the immediate past occupant.
The APC’s candidate, Adesola Elegbeji, declared that the party was “ready to win with a landslide,” urging supporters to turn out en masse and defend their votes.
At the PDP’s campaign flag-off for Oluwole, Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, assured members of victory and urged them to ignore defections, including that of a former state chairman, which he described as inconsequential. He called on supporters to remain focused and mobilise voters for the PDP candidate.
The by-election is also a factor in the growing tension between Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East. Although both are members of the APC, the poll is viewed as a test of political strength between the two ahead of 2027.
The election follows the death, seven months ago, of Adewunmi Onanuga in London, after a brief illness. In Kaduna State, a chieftain of the ADC, Abosede Rahila Adamu, called on INEC to ensure the elections are free, fair, and credible. She urged the commission to allow the results to reflect the will of the people, emphasising that the rights of voters and stakeholders must be protected.
Adamu said INEC’s assurance of credible polls in Chikun/Kajuru and Zaria Kewaye/Zaria Sabon Gari Federal Constituencies should go beyond “lip service,” which she claimed had been the norm over the years.
IN Edo State, the Central Senatorial District by-election has intensified political activities, with the APC and PDP deploying top campaigners. The seat became vacant after Okpebholo won the gubernatorial election in September 2024.
The APC has fielded a former House of Assembly member, while the PDP is banking on a grassroots mobiliser with deep community ties. The Labour Party is also in the race, hoping to capitalise on lingering disaffection from the last governorship poll.
Observers say the contest will test Governor Okpebholo’s influence in his home senatorial district, as well as the PDP’s resilience in a zone it once dominated.
THE Babura/Garki Federal Constituency by-election in Jigawa State is another high-stakes contest. The seat became vacant following a court nullification over irregularities in the 2023 election.
The APC, which previously held the seat, is determined to retain it, relying on the popularity of its candidate and Governor Umar Namadi’s support. The PDP and NNPP, however, are campaigning vigorously, citing voter dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s performance.
Local analysts predict a close race, with turnout likely influenced by rural infrastructure and agricultural support issues. In Kano State, the Bagwai and Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency by-elections are shaping up as fierce battles between the ruling NNPP and the APC.
The contests will test the durability of the NNPP’s dominance under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, especially in areas where the APC retains strong grassroots structures. Both parties are holding daily ward rallies, with development promises and youth empowerment dominating campaign messages.
IN Kogi State, the Okura III Constituency election is being closely watched as a preview of the 2027 political climate. The PDP, traditionally strong in the area, is seeking to fend off the APC, which has intensified grassroots mobilisation. Key issues include road rehabilitation, youth unemployment, and security concerns over farmer-herder clashes. Civil society groups have urged
INEC to ensure early deployment of materials to avoid delays that marred the last election in the area. The Munya Constituency by-election in Niger State is largely a two-horse race between the APC and PDP. Security concerns loom large, with banditry affecting parts of the local government area. Candidates have made security pledges central to their campaigns, alongside promises to revive the local economy through agriculture.
INEC has assured residents of adequate security in collaboration with the police and other agencies. FOR Taraba State, the Karim Lamido Constituency poll is a straight fight between the PDP and APC, with both parties relying on local leaders to mobilise voters in riverine communities. Flooding and poor road access remain dominant issues.
The Kaura Namoda South by-election in Zamfara State is set against a backdrop of security concerns and low voter confidence. The APC and PDP are the main contenders, but the Labour Party has made inroads, particularly among younger voters. Candidates have pledged to press for stronger state responses to the ongoing banditry crisis.
