The weekend’s by-elections across Nigeria delivered a clear message: the All Progressives Congress (APC) is tightening its grip on several states, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to hold ground in Rivers. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the results on Sunday, underscoring the APC’s growing momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

APC’s Expanding Reach
The APC’s victories spanned four states—Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano, and Kebbi—covering both legislative and state assembly seats. These wins not only filled vacancies but also reinforced the party’s dominance in regions where it has steadily built influence.

In Ondo South Senatorial District, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, former president of the Nigerian Medical Association, emerged victorious with 68,474 votes. His win reflects APC’s ability to mobilize support across diverse local government areas, from Okitipupa to Ilaje. The election followed the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, leaving a crucial vacancy that APC swiftly reclaimed.

Rivers: PDP’s Fortress
While APC celebrated gains elsewhere, Rivers State reminded observers of PDP’s resilience. Olaka Nwogu, a former senator, secured the Rivers South-East seat with 47,961 votes. His victory ensures PDP maintains a foothold in a region where political loyalty has historically leaned in its favor. Nwogu replaces the late Senator Barinada Mpigi, continuing PDP’s presence in the oil-rich state.

Nasarawa: A Contest with Ripples
In Nasarawa West Senatorial District, APC candidate Aliyu Wadada won decisively, defeating Labour Party’s Labaran Maku and PDP’s Emmanuel Ombugadu. The contest drew attention not only for its competitiveness but also for the opposition’s rejection of the outcome. Some parties signaled plans to challenge the results, raising questions about post-election litigation and its impact on voter confidence.

Kano: APC Secures Federal Constituency
Kano’s Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency saw APC’s Rabiu Shuaibu claim victory with 35,356 votes. The seat became vacant following the death of NNPP’s Muhammad Danjuma-Hassan. Shuaibu’s win highlights APC’s ability to penetrate constituencies previously aligned with other parties, further consolidating its northern base.

Kebbi: Assembly Seat Reclaimed
In Kebbi State, APC candidate Rabiu Garba Aiki won the Zuru State Constituency by-election with 4,871 votes. The election filled the vacancy left by the death of former Speaker Muhammad Usman Zuru. Despite low voter turnout—just over 5,000 valid votes recorded out of more than 109,000 registered voters—the APC’s victory reinforces its control of the state assembly.

Political analysts view these results as early indicators of party strength ahead of the 2027 general elections. APC’s ability to secure wins across multiple states suggests a widening base, while PDP’s hold in Rivers demonstrates its enduring relevance in key regions. The contrasting outcomes highlight Nigeria’s complex political landscape, where regional loyalties and national strategies intersect.

INEC officials described the Ondo poll as a “testing ground” for future elections, emphasizing lessons learned in logistics and voter engagement. With opposition parties contesting some results, the by-elections also spotlight the importance of transparent processes in sustaining public trust.

Across the states, turnout varied significantly. Ondo recorded over 70,000 votes cast, while Kebbi saw fewer than 6,000. These figures raise concerns about voter apathy and participation, issues that could shape the credibility of future elections. Analysts argue that both APC and PDP must address declining turnout to ensure legitimacy in 2027.

The by-elections reveal a shifting balance of power. APC’s victories in Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano, and Kebbi strengthen its national presence, while PDP’s success in Rivers underscores its resilience. As Nigeria moves closer to 2027, these contests serve as a preview of the battles ahead—where turnout, trust, and party strategy will determine the nation’s political trajectory.

A wave of electoral violence has reportedly rocked Wakama Ward, where the Director-General of the APC campaign organisation and 12 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were allegedly attacked by suspected ethnic militia believed to be loyal to Labour Party candidate, Labaran Maku.

Sources from the area disclosed that the attackers, armed with machetes and axes, inflicted serious injuries on several victims during the assault. Many of those attacked sustained varying degrees of injuries, while two victims are currently receiving treatment in hospital for severe wounds.

One of the victims, Ezekiel Baba, was initially declared missing in the aftermath of the attack, raising fears about his safety. However, following a swift response by personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), he was rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention.

Sources further alleged that operatives of the NSCDC apprehended one of the suspected attackers, identified as Peter Assi, a former Councillor of Wakama Ward and a known political associate of Labour Party candidate, Labaran Maku. Security authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the arrest and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The incident has heightened tensions in the area and raised serious concerns about voter safety and the conduct of the ongoing Nasarawa North Senatorial Bye-Election. Residents and political stakeholders have called on security agencies to swiftly investigate the attack, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure adequate security for voters and election officials.

The APC has strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a dangerous act of political violence capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

Security authorities are yet to issue a comprehensive official statement on the incident, while efforts to obtain a response from the Labour Party candidate and other relevant stakeholders were ongoing at the time of filing this report.

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has converted a recent legal threat into a political launchpad. Following an appellate court victory that halted an attempt to deregister the party, the Kwara ADC has declared its full readiness to contest the 2027 general elections.

A Federal High Court judgment by Justice Peter Lifu originally ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC along with four other opposition parties.

The decision was met with an outcry by opposition coalition who alleged the judicial action was another manipulative scheme to cripple opposition politics in the nation and give an unearned leap to ruling parties for the 2027 election cycle.

The “threat however, disappeared into thin air as the Court of Appeal in Abuja swung into action and delivered a strong rebuff on the lower court. A stay of execution of the deregistration order was issued by the Court of Appeal.

Experts and political leaders in opposition said the lower court’s ruling had contravened judicial hierarchy as courts above had already issued a stay of proceedings. It has returned to status quo, following the successful legal defence as the Kwara State chapter of the ADC has called an emergency State Executive Committee meeting at its State Secretariat, Ilorin.

Party stakeholders have already turned the page from the legal battle to an intensive grassroots mobilisation as party structures have been instructed to get set for the next election cycle.

“This issue, while appearing like a setback, has only united us more than before,” said the Kwara State Chairman of ADC, Babatunde Muhammed, who assured that “

The Court of Appeal intervention in our case has revived my confidence in the country’s judicial system, and that you cannot simply rubbish an existing political movement because you have access to some judges.

We remain unruffled” he added. Consequently, all ADC Candidates and ward executives in Kwara State have been tasked to commence voter outreach immediately with a unit-by-unit grassroots mobilisation plan that aims to put the current ruling party on the defensive by articulating how the ADC platform and agenda contrast with the performance of the incumbent administration.

The new approach of Kwara ADC will focus primarily on local security issues, fiscal and economic management and ensuring a free and fair electoral system in 2027 election.