The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) tightened its grip on Nigerian politics, securing an overwhelming majority in the legislative by-elections and re-run elections conducted on Saturday in 12 states of the federation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections in 16 constituencies, in addition to two court-ordered re-run elections in Enugu and Kano, across 7,324 polling units in 14 states.
The seats were gained through deaths and lawmaker resignations, and the re-runs were due to prior interruptions of the polls.
According to results declared by INEC, APC gained 12 seats, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gained two seats, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gained one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) gained one.
From Edo to Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, Niger, Taraba, Kogi, Adamawa and the others, APC candidates swept the polls on landslide margins in most of the elections, consolidating the party’s grip on state and federal constituencies. Most notably, APC swept all three Kaduna seats and captured significant federal and state seats in Edo and Ogun.
But APGA did well in Anambra, winning both the senatorial and state assembly seats that were up for grabs. PDP carried Oyo State’s Ibadan North federal constituency and NNPP carried Bagwai/Shanono constituency of Kano State.
Meanwhile, Enugu South I state constituency rerun was adjourned for the fourth time because it was marred by protests and disruptions even though INEC had deployed materials and personnel early in the day.
