The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the results of by-elections held in six states on June 20, 2026, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winning five seats and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claiming one. The polls were widely seen as an early test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
APC’s clean sweep, bar one
In the Enugu North Senatorial District, the APC’s Ikeje Asogwa polled 162,360 votes to defeat the PDP’s Nestor Ezeme, who scored 9,299. The party also won the Ondo South Senatorial seat through Dayo Faduyile (68,474 votes) and the Nasarawa North seat through Danladi Envulu-anza (45,362 votes), ahead of the Labour Party’s Labaran Maku.
Wins in Kano and Kebbi
The APC extended its run with victories in the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano, where Rabiu Shuaibu polled 35,356 votes, and the Zuru State Constituency in Kebbi, won by Rabiu Garba Aiki for a seat in the state House of Assembly. The party’s dominance across geopolitical zones was a notable feature of the day.
PDP’s lone bright spot
The PDP avoided a whitewash through Olaka Nwogu, who won the Rivers South-East Senatorial by-election with 47,961 votes, comfortably ahead of the APC’s Osar Erewari. The result preserved the opposition party’s footprint in a region where it remains competitive.
Why the seats were vacant
Most of the contests followed the deaths of sitting lawmakers. The Enugu North seat became vacant after the death of Labour Party Senator Okey Ezea in November 2025, while the Nasarawa North poll followed the passing of Senator Godiya Akwashiki and the Rivers South-East contest the death of Senator Barry Mpigi. The Ondo South seat opened up after former Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s exit on a federal appointment.
Opposition absence raises questions
Observers noted that the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party failed to make an impact in the polls, a development that raised eyebrows about the opposition’s readiness for 2027. With realignments expected ahead of the next general elections, the by-elections offered an early read on momentum.
Some of the contests were also marred by allegations of violence and voter intimidation, particularly in Enugu, where opposition agents reported disruptions. INEC nonetheless proceeded with collation and declared the winners, while affected parties have continued to raise concerns about the conduct of the exercise.
In Nasarawa North, the Labour Party’s Labaran Maku polled 12,931 votes and the PDP’s Emmanuel Ombugadu 11,570, leaving the APC candidate well clear of the field.
Analysts say off-cycle votes like these are watched closely for clues about party structures and turnout, even when their direct impact on the balance of the National Assembly is limited.
