The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner in five of the six by-elections held across six Nigerian states on Saturday, June 20. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured one victory. Notably, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) did not participate in most of the polls, raising questions about their readiness for the 2027 general elections.
Overview of the By-Elections
The by-elections were conducted in Kebbi, Kano, Rivers, Ondo, Nasarawa, and Enugu states. According to INEC, the contests were for federal and state legislative seats. The APC dominated, winning four senatorial districts and one state assembly seat, while the PDP won the Rivers South-East senatorial district.
INEC had earlier released a list of participating parties, which included the APC, Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the PDP. The ADC and NDC were listed only in Nasarawa North senatorial district.
Ondo South Senatorial District
Dayo Faduyile, the APC candidate, won the Ondo South senatorial by-election with 68,474 votes. The APM candidate polled 1,411 votes, APP got 213, and BP secured 70 votes.
Nasarawa North Senatorial District
Halilu Danladi Envulanza of the APC emerged victorious with 45,362 votes. Labour Party's Labaran Maku got 12,931 votes, PDP's Emmanuel David Ombugadu polled 11,570, ADC's Alaku Mohammed Steve Ahmed secured 4,244, NDC's Duba Ishaya Dodo got 1,496, and NNPP's John Paul Araneshri received 102 votes.
Rivers South East Senatorial District
The PDP's Olaka Nwogu was declared winner with 47,961 votes. APC candidate polled 1,647 votes, AA got 1,175, and LP secured 367 votes.
Enugu North Senatorial District
APC's Asogwa Ikeje Israel won with 162,360 votes. NDC got 3,129 votes, ADC polled 1,676, and LP secured 1,027 votes.
Kebbi State House of Assembly — Zuru Constituency
Rabiu Aiki of the APC won the Zuru State Constituency by-election with 4,871 votes. His closest rival, Aliyu Muhammad of the Labour Party, polled 168 votes. Muhammad Danladi of Federal University Birnin Kebbi served as collation officer.
Kano: Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency
Shuaibu Rabiu of the APC won the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election with 35,356 votes, according to INEC.
Implications for 2027 Elections
The absence of the ADC and NDC in most of the by-elections has sparked concerns among political observers. These parties were expected to test their structures and popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections. The APC's strong performance reinforces its dominance, while the PDP's single win shows its continued relevance in some regions.
