The All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded sweeping victories across four states in Saturday’s by-elections, winning key senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly seats in Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano and Kebbi, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.
Results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday showed the APC consolidating its electoral strength ahead of the 2027 general elections, with decisive victories in most of the contests.
In Ondo State, INEC declared Prof. Dayo Faduyile, a former National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Special Adviser on Health Matters to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, winner of the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Gbenga Solomon-Ibileye, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, announced that Faduyile polled 68,474 votes to defeat Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who secured 1,411 votes. Adesanya Olaoluwa of the Action People’s Party (APP) scored 213 votes, while Clement Funso-Nejo of the Boot Party (BP) garnered 70 votes.
A total of 70,770 votes were cast, with 602 rejected votes. The election was conducted across Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo local government areas 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 “testing ground” for the 2027 elections, noting that lessons from the poll would help improve future electoral processes.
In Rivers State, the PDP retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat as former senator, Olaka Nwogu, emerged victorious with 47,961 votes.
The Returning Officer, Rosemary Ogu, announced that Nwogu defeated Douglas Fabeke of the Action Alliance (AA), who polled 1,175 votes; Osarosaka Ebenezer of the APC, who secured 1,647 votes; and Sam Bariboa of the Labour Party (LP), 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 Barrister Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza won the Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election with 45,362 votes.
The Returning Officer, Professor Aminu Ali, announced that the APC candidate defeated Labour Party’s Labaran Maku, who scored 12,931 votes, and PDP candidate Emmanuel David Ombugadu, who secured 11,331 votes. Mohammed Stephen Alaku of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 4,244 votes, while Arc. Ishaya Dubai Dodo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) received 1,496 votes.
However, some political parties reportedly rejected the outcome and indicated plans to challenge the results.
Similarly, the APC also captured the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat in Kano State, with Rabiu Shuaibu polling 35,356 votes.
Returning Officer Umar Sani declared Shuaibu winner after defeating Lawal Garba-Haruna of the APM, who secured 268 votes, and Labour Party candidate Abubakar Yahaya-Muhammad, who polled 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).
Also, in Kebbi State, APC candidate Rabiu Garba Aiki emerged victorious in the Zuru State Constituency by-election for the State House of Assembly.
The Collation Officer, Professor Muhammad Bashar Danladi of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi, announced that Aiki secured 4,871 votes to defeat Labour Party candidate Aliyu Galadima Muhammad, who scored 168 votes.
According to INEC, the constituency had 109,385 registered voters, while 5,156 voters were accredited. A total of 5,055 valid votes and 95 rejected votes were recorded.
The election was conducted 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 underscore the APC’s growing dominance in several states, while the PDP maintained its foothold in Rivers. Political observers say the results could offer an early indication of party strength and voter alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.