By National News Desk
The All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded major victories in Saturday’s by-elections, winning senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly seats in Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano and Kebbi states, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.
Results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday showed the ruling party consolidating its influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Ondo State, APC candidate Prof. Dayo Faduyile, a former National President of the Nigerian Medical Association and Special Adviser on Health to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, emerged winner of the Ondo South Senatorial by-election with 68,474 votes.
INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Gbenga Solomon-Ibileye, said Faduyile defeated Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who scored 1,411 votes, while candidates of the Action People’s Party (APP) and the Boot Party (BP) secured 213 and 70 votes respectively.
The election, conducted across Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo local government areas, was held to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, described the exercise as a test run for the 2027 general elections.
In Rivers State, the PDP retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat as former senator Olaka Nwogu polled 47,961 votes to defeat his closest rivals.
Returning Officer Rosemary Ogu announced that Nwogu defeated Douglas Fabeke of the Action Alliance (AA), who scored 1,175 votes, APC candidate Osarosaka Ebenezer, who secured 1,647 votes, and Labour Party candidate Sam Bariboa, who garnered 367 votes.
Nwogu will replace the late Senator Barinada Mpigi, who died in office on February 19, 2026.
In Nasarawa State, APC candidate Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza won the Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election with 45,362 votes.
Returning Officer Prof. Aminu Ali said Envulu-Anza defeated Labour Party candidate Labaran Maku, who polled 12,931 votes, and PDP candidate Emmanuel Ombugadu, who secured 11,331 votes. Mohammed Stephen Alaku of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 4,244 votes, while Ishaya Dodo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) received 1,496 votes.
Some political parties, however, rejected the outcome and indicated plans to challenge the results.
In Kano State, the APC captured the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat, with its candidate, Rabiu Shuaibu, polling 35,356 votes.
Returning Officer Umar Sani declared Shuaibu winner ahead of Lawal Garba-Haruna of the APM, who scored 268 votes, and Labour Party candidate Abubakar Yahaya-Muhammad, who secured 98 votes.
The by-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of former House of Representatives member Muhammad Danjuma-Hassan of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Similarly, in Kebbi State, APC candidate Rabiu Garba Aiki won the Zuru State Constituency by-election into the State House of Assembly with 4,871 votes.
According to the Collation Officer, Prof. Muhammad Bashar Danladi of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Aiki defeated Labour Party candidate Aliyu Galadima Muhammad, who polled 168 votes.
INEC said the constituency has 109,385 registered voters, with 5,156 accredited voters. A total of 5,055 valid votes and 95 rejected ballots were recorded.
The election was held to fill the vacancy created by the death of former Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman Zuru.
The outcomes of the by-elections highlight the APC’s continued dominance in several states, while the PDP maintained its hold on Rivers South-East, providing an early indication of party strengths ahead of the 2027 general elections.
