INEC By-Elections: APC Sweeps Four States, PDP Holds Rivers South-East Seat

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

INEC By-Elections: APC Sweeps Four States, PDP Holds Rivers South-East Seat

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the winners of five of the six 2026 by-elections, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerging as the biggest winner after securing victories in Enugu, Ondo, Kano and Kebbi, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.

The by-elections, held on Saturday, were conducted to fill vacant seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly created by the deaths, resignation and appointment of former lawmakers. However, the result of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District election is still being awaited as collation continues.

In Enugu State, the APC recorded a major breakthrough as Ikeje Asogwa won the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election with 162,360 votes. His closest challenger, PDP candidate Chief Nestor Ezeme, polled 9,299 votes. The election was held to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Okey Ezea, who passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62.

The PDP, however, successfully defended its stronghold in Rivers State. Its candidate, Olaka Nwogu, secured 47,961 votes to defeat APC candidate Osar Erewari, who garnered 1,647 votes, thereby retaining the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat. The by-election followed the death of Senator Barry Mpigi earlier this year.

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In Ondo State, APC candidate Dayo Faduyile cruised to victory in the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election with 68,474 votes, defeating Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who received 1,411 votes. The senatorial seat became vacant after former senator Jimoh Ibrahim was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The ruling party also strengthened its representation in the House of Representatives as Rabiu Shuaibu won the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election in Kano State. Shuaibu polled 35,356 votes, comfortably ahead of Lawal Garba-Haruna of the APM, who secured 268 votes, while Labour Party candidate Abubakar Yahaya-Muhammad received 98 votes. The poll was conducted following the death of former lawmaker Muhammad Danjuma-Hassan of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

In Kebbi State, the APC continued its winning streak with Rabiu Garba Aiki emerging victorious in the Zuru State Constituency by-election into the State House of Assembly. Aiki polled 4,887 votes, defeating Labour Party candidate Aliyu Galadima Muhammad, who scored 168 votes. The election was held to replace former Speaker Muhammad Usman Zuru, whose death created the vacancy.

Meanwhile, INEC has yet to announce the outcome of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election. Voting took place across Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba Local Government Areas, where voters are electing a successor to late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who died after a prolonged illness.

Full List of Declared Winners

Enugu North Senatorial District: Ikeje Asogwa (APC) – 162,360 votes
Rivers South-East Senatorial District: Olaka Nwogu (PDP) – 47,961 votes
Ondo South Senatorial District: Dayo Faduyile (APC) – 68,474 votes
Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency, Kano: Rabiu Shuaibu (APC) – 35,356 votes
Zuru State Constituency, Kebbi: Rabiu Garba Aiki (APC) – 4,887 votes

With five results already declared, the APC has captured four seats, reinforcing its presence in the National Assembly and state legislature, while the PDP maintained its hold on Rivers South-East. Political stakeholders are now focused on the pending Nasarawa North result, which will complete the nationwide by-election exercise.