APC, ADC, PDP Trade Blames Over By-election Results

The by-elections held last Saturday across 16 state and federal constituencies in 13 states have sparked heated reactions from political parties, raising concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) faulted the exercise, saying it was not a true reflection of the people’s will. The party alleged that the process was tainted by violence, vote buying, intimidation of candidates, and manipulation, which it described as signs of worsening electoral integrity under the current administration.

The elections, which were meant to fill vacant seats in state and national assemblies, were marred by incidents that disrupted voting in several constituencies. Reports of ballot box snatching, clashes involving armed thugs, and cases of vote buyers being caught with large sums of money cast doubts over the outcome. Failures of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in some states further added to the controversy, fueling distrust in the ability of the electoral commission to manage credible polls.

The ADC warned that what transpired could be seen as a rehearsal for the 2027 general elections if reforms are not introduced. The party urged President Bola Tinubu to provide leadership that allows Nigerians to vote without fear or coercion, stressing that any government repeatedly associated with flawed elections risks losing its legitimacy in the eyes of both citizens and the international community. It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate irregularities, punish compromised officials, and restore confidence in the electoral process.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the elections. A youth leader of the party in Edo State described the exercise as a sham, pointing to widespread malpractice and the use of state institutions to suppress voter participation. He warned that unless electoral reforms are implemented, the 2027 elections may not reflect the will of Nigerians.

On the other side, President Bola Tinubu praised the Independent National Electoral Commission for what he described as a well-conducted and peaceful election across the affected states. He congratulated the winners and commended the unity within the ruling All Progressives Congress, which won the majority of the contested seats. According to INEC’s results, the APC secured victories in 12 constituencies, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance won two. The Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party claimed one seat each.

President Tinubu also applauded the leadership of the new APC national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, crediting him and other party leaders for guiding the APC to its first electoral win under his leadership. He called on all parties and candidates to sustain the spirit of fair play and maturity to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

The contrasting reactions to the by-elections reflect the widening gap in perception of Nigeria’s electoral system. While the ruling party views the outcome as a step forward, opposition parties see it as a troubling sign of deeper challenges ahead. With 2027 on the horizon, the call for reforms has grown louder, setting the stage for a fierce political battle over the credibility of future elections.