Politics
Nasarawa North by-election: Gov Sule praises process, Maku alleges irregularities
The Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday, 20th June 2026 elicited contrasting reactions from key political stakeholders, with Governor Abdullahi Sule commending the conduct of the exercise, while former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, alleged irregularities and technical glitches in some polling units.
Governor Sule, who cast his vote at Polling Unit 002, Gudi Motor Park, alongside his wives, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule and Hajiya Farida Abdullahi Sule, described the election as one of the smoothest he had witnessed in recent years.
Speaking with journalists shortly after voting, the governor expressed satisfaction with the accreditation and voting process.
“For me, this is the smoothest it has ever been. From BVAS accreditation to casting my ballot, it took just three to five minutes. Historically, this is the fastest I’ve seen,” he stated.
Sule also dismissed suggestions that the by-election would serve as a measure of his political influence ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the contest was more a test of the popularity and performance of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
“It is an opportunity for the people of Nasarawa North to say thank you to APC. By the grace of God, we are going to see a ‘thank you’ result,” he added.
In contrast, Maku, who voted in his Wakama Ward polling unit, raised concerns over what he described as widespread failures of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, in parts of the senatorial district.
While acknowledging that his own accreditation process was seamless, the former minister claimed that many voters experienced difficulties and were left waiting for hours due to malfunctioning devices.
“Quite a number of people, the BVAS could not capture their fingerprints and they have been waiting there since morning,” Maku alleged.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deploy facial recognition technology in situations where fingerprint verification fails, arguing that voters’ photographs are already contained in the electoral register.
The former minister further claimed that similar technical challenges were reported in several polling centres, including Wamba Central and Wamba Clinic, where officials allegedly struggled to repair faulty accreditation machines.
Maku also alleged that some BVAS devices exhausted their internet data allocation after processing only a few voters.
“At my polling unit, we had to volunteer data to INEC officials to enable them continue the accreditation process,” he said.
Beyond the technical concerns, Maku alleged reports of multiple thumbprinting of ballot papers in some communities, including Alushi and Wacho, though no official confirmation had been issued by electoral authorities as of the time of filing this report.
Despite his concerns, the former minister noted that voting remained largely peaceful across many polling units but cautioned that tensions often arise during the collation phase.
“It is when results are being collated that people introduce violence when they see they are not winning,” he warned, urging security agencies to provide adequate protection during the movement and collation of election results.
Maku also criticized what he described as a growing culture of “win-at-all-costs” politics, maintaining that elected governments should rely on their performance and development records rather than political manipulation to secure victory.
According to him, public confidence in the electoral process would improve if election disputes were determined based on the substance of complaints rather than technical legal considerations.
The by-election was conducted to fill the vacant Nasarawa North Senatorial seat following the death of Godiya Akwashiki.
As of press time, the Independent National Electoral Commission had not issued an official response to the allegations of BVAS malfunction or other reported irregularities, while collation of results was ongoing.
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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.
Ondo State
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.
Rivers State
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.
Nasarawa State
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.
Kano State
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).
Kebbi State
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.
The post Full List: APC sweeps Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano, Kebbi by-elections as PDP holds Rivers seat appeared first on Vanguard News.
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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.
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The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to Chief Bode George to rejoin the ‘party’s mainstream leadership structure’ to reposition it ahead of 2027.
Mr Hakeem Olalemi, State Organising Secretary of the faction, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos on Sunday.
NAN reports that George, a former PDP deputy national chairman, is aligned with the Dr Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, backed by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
George has been a fierce critic of Wike and his actions regarding the PDP since the beginning of the leadership crisis in the party.
Olalemi, who spoke on the state of the party and preparations for the 2027 general elections in the state, said George remained a respected leader and an integral member of the PDP family despite ongoing disagreements within the party.
According to him, George’s experience and contributions to the PDP make him a vital asset to the party.
Olalemi said it was important for the former party national officer to remain within the party’s mainstream leadership structure for progress.
“Chief Bode George is always welcome in the PDP. We have great respect for him and there is room for him within the party.
“Chief Bode George loves PDP. He cannot leave PDP. He is coming back to the mainstream to work for the party’s progress.
“He is our father. He is a foundation member; nobody can ask where he is coming from. We will welcome him back to the fold,” he said.
Olalemi said the PDP remained a united family despite differences among some leaders and members.
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