Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has described the outcome of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election as a sign of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to him, the governor said the large voters turnout and peaceful conduct of the election showed that residents still support the APC and its policies.

Gov Yusuf stated that the election was conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, reflecting the true wishes of voters. He praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for successfully organising the poll and commended security agencies for maintaining peace throughout the exercise.

According to the governor, the conduct and outcome of the election have strengthened public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.

He congratulated the APC candidate on the victory and urged him to focus on delivering effective representation for the people of the constituency.

Yusuf said the result demonstrated that the APC remains a strong political force in Kano State and is positioned for further electoral success in the future.

The governor also criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for not presenting a candidate in the by-election, describing the party as “a mushroom political movement with no visible grassroots structure.”

He added that the party stayed away from the contest because it feared defeat and lacked the support needed to challenge the APC.

Yusuf maintained that the by-election exposed the weakness of opposition groups in the state and highlighted the growing acceptance of the APC among Kano residents.

He assured citizens that his administration would continue to implement projects and programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.

The governor also congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, over what he described as the party’s success in recent by-elections across the country.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate, Mr Dare Bejide, has rejected the Ekiti State election result.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, Bejide described the election as lacking credibility.

He alleged that the exercise was conducted in “an atmosphere replica of a war zone”.

The ADC candidate accused the ruling party of engaging in vote buying through money and food distribution.

Bejide said the government should have relied on its achievements rather than struggling to influence voters.

“My immediate reaction is to reject the result in its entirety because the exercise was not credible,” he said.

He claimed some polling units, including his, witnessed a tense atmosphere during the election.

“You all witnessed what happened. Some places were almost like a war zone,” Bejide added.

He alleged that political appointees and a serving senator brought thugs and security personnel.

“In some places, it appeared the election was taking place only in my polling unit. It is a sad day for democracy,” the ADC candidate stated.

Bejide further alleged that vote buying was carried out openly at several polling units.

“Bags of money were brought to polling units, and enormous sums were spent,” he claimed. He said such actions reflected poor performance by the government.

“If they had performed well, there would have been no need to rely on money,” Bejide said.

The ADC candidate said he was still studying the election outcome before deciding his next move.

“I have not personally seen the full results; I have only heard reports on social media,” he said.

He added that his team was collating available polling unit results.

“Once we receive and analyse everything, we will brief our party members,” Bejide stated.

He said the party would decide on the appropriate course of action afterwards.

“At this stage, we are certainly not satisfied with the conduct of the election,” he said.

Bejide urged his supporters and Ekiti residents to remain peaceful and calm. “We are carefully studying the results and will know the appropriate steps to take,” he added. 

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of “growing anxiety” over the political influence of its candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The party asserted that Ogun residents are ready for a new direction and that no amount of propaganda can “stop the winds of change already blowing across the state.”

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Ogun PDP Youth Leader, Comrade Lukman Ejalonibu.

Ejalonibu insisted that the recent comments by the Special Assistant on Youth Development to Ogun State Governor, Comrade Olamide Lawal, about Adebutu exposed contradictions in the ruling party’s position.

Recall that Olamide Lawal, while speaking on a television programme, said Adebutu is not a threat to the APC and lacks the political strength and performance record required to challenge the ruling party in the state.

Lawal also noted that the state’s prevailing zoning considerations diminish any prospect of Adebutu succeeding Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Responding, the PDP youth leader argued that the APC’s focus on Adebutu confirms his “growing popularity, acceptance and connection with the people of Ogun State.”

He said, “It is both amusing and contradictory that the same APC which claims Adebutu is ‘not a threat’ continues to devote so much time and energy to discussing him. No political party spends valuable airtime attacking an opponent it considers irrelevant.”

Ejalonibu also faulted attempts to downplay Adebutu’s record as a former member of the House of Representatives, citing his constituency interventions, educational support programmes, youth empowerment and community projects.

He described Adebutu as “an authentic son of Ogun State whose roots, commitment and contributions to the state are well known,” adding that his relationship with the people predates his electoral ambitions.

He asserted that the PDP’s focus remains on providing credible alternatives and mobilising the people around responsible, inclusive and people-centred governance.

The PDP Youth Leader also criticised the APC for “hiding behind zoning arguments” instead of engaging in debates on governance, unemployment, infrastructure and economic hardship.

“Democracy is a contest of ideas, competence and public trust, not excuses created out of fear. If Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu truly poses no threat to the APC, there would be no reason for the ruling party and its spokespersons to make him the centrepiece of their political conversations,” Ejalonibu added.