The Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has rejected the outcome of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to cancel the exercise over alleged electoral irregularities.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Danjuma Joseph, the NDC alleged that its logo was omitted from official election materials despite being a duly registered political party participating in the poll.

The party claimed that while a logo appeared on the ballot paper, it did not belong to the NDC, a development it said may have confused voters and negatively affected its performance in the election.

According to the statement, the party also observed that its logo was absent from the result sheets used during the election, while there was reportedly no provision for NDC agents to append their signatures at ward, local government and state collation levels.

“The logo printed on the ballot paper does not belong to our party, the NDC. This, we believe, is a deliberate attempt by INEC to mislead our supporters and undermine our participation,” the party alleged.

They further claimed that the logo used during the Nasarawa by-election differed from the party’s official symbol reportedly used by INEC in another by-election conducted in Enugu State on the same day.

Beyond concerns over party identification, the NDC alleged that several polling units experienced malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, a situation it said undermined the credibility of the electoral process.

The party also alleged incidents of result manipulation and mutilation in favour of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), though it did not provide specific evidence to support the claim.

Citing the alleged irregularities, the NDC declared that it does not recognise the outcome of the election and would explore legal avenues to challenge the process.

“Given these irregularities, the NDC rejects the conduct of the by-election in Nasarawa North and will pursue legal options to protect our democratic rights and the will of our supporters,” the statement added.

The by-election was conducted to fill the vacant Nasarawa North Senatorial seat following the death of the district’s former representative, Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

INEC has yet to respond to the allegations raised by the NDC as of the time of filing this report.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said that the victory of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti will be replicated in Osun on August 15.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye described Oyebanji’s victory as well deserved.

He said the outcome of the election was a resounding endorsement of the governor’s performance and the people’s mandate, describing it as a historic triumph achieved with an unprecedented margin in the Ekiti governorship elections.

According to him, the result reflects the people’s confidence in progressive governance, noting that Oyebanji’s administration has remained focused on development, inclusiveness and the welfare of citizens.

Oyintiloye said the APC’s victory in Ekiti signalled the party’s popularity and expressed confidence that it would secure an even more decisive win in the Osun governorship election.

He commended the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, for providing strategic leadership that continues to strengthen the party nationwide.

“The Ekiti result has shown that when a party remains united, focused and committed to grassroots engagement, victory becomes inevitable.

“It is a clear lesson for us in Osun that teamwork, dedication and collective responsibility are indispensable for electoral success,” he said.

Oyintiloye urged APC members and supporters in Osun to remain united and committed, stressing that every member has a role to play in ensuring victory at the polls.

He also acknowledged the role of the party leader in Osun, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former governor of the state, for sustaining the party since the 2022 governorship election.

He noted that Oyetola had maintained engagement with party members, stakeholders and interest groups, thereby strengthening the party’s structure and boosting confidence ahead of the August 15, poll.

Oyintiloye said the party’s mobilisation strategy remained robust and result-oriented, aimed at reconnecting with the electorate and consolidating support across all wards and local government areas.

He expressed optimism that the people of Osun would support the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, whom he described as competent, experienced and people-oriented.

“The people of Ekiti have reaffirmed their belief in progressive governance.

“By the grace of God, the people of Osun will do the same on August 15 by electing Oyebamiji as the next governor of the state,” he said.

“The victory secured by the APC in Ekiti will be replicated in Osun. The party is widely accepted by the people, and this is a clear signal to the ruling party to brace for defeat.

“Our candidate is ready, the party is ready and the electorate are ready to repeat the same victory in Osun,” he said.

He added that the Ekiti victory had boosted the morale of APC members in Osun and urged opposition parties to support the APC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Oyebanji the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

The governor was re-elected after polling 319,224 votes, defeating his closest rivals, Olumayokun Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, across the 16 local government areas in the state.