APC Wins Nasarawa North By-Election Amid Widespread Opposition Rejection

The All Progressives Congress secured a major victory in the Nasarawa North senatorial by-election, though the outcome triggered intense protests. Leading opposition parties immediately rejected the declared results, alleging extensive voting irregularities and institutional failures during the weekend balloting.

A former Secretary of the National Judiciary Council and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Danladi Halilu-EnvuluAnza, has been declared winner of the June 20, 2026, Nasarawa North senatorial by-election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission returning officer, Professor Aminu Ali, announced the result at the College of Education in Akwanga Local Council Area of the state yesterday.

Describing the election as free, fair and credible, Ali disclosed that Halilu-EnvuluAnza polled a total of 45,362 votes to defeat his closest rival and former minister of information, Mr Labaran Maku, who polled 12,931 votes as the candidate of the Labour Party.

As also announced, the People’s Democratic Party’s Emmanuel Ombugadu came third with 11,570 votes; the African Democratic Congress candidate, Alaku Steve, got 1,496 votes, while John Araneshiri of the New Nigeria People’s Party polled 102 votes.

Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Sule has commended INEC for the smooth conduct of the poll, saying it gave the people of Nasarawa North an opportunity to thank the APC.

However, protests have trailed the exercise, with the NDC and LP calling for its cancellation over alleged widespread irregularities, including malfunctions of INEC’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

Rejecting the results, the Nigeria Democratic Congress called for an outright cancellation and the conduct of a fresh election over alleged widespread irregularities. The Publicity Secretary, Danjuma Joseph, said in a statement yesterday that the election fell short of acceptable democratic standards and did not reflect the will of the electorate.

The NDC alleged that its official logo was omitted from key electoral materials, while a different symbol appeared on the ballot paper, which it said created confusion among voters and compromised its participation in the contest.

It also claimed that the party’s logo was missing from the result sheets used during collation, while its agents were denied the right to endorse the results at the ward, council, and state levels.

The party further alleged BVAS malfunctioned in several polling units, stating that this disrupted accreditation and undermined the credibility of the process. It further alleged manipulation and alteration of results in favour of the APC candidate, without substantiating the claims.

Also calling the election a “complete sham,” the LP candidate, Maku, told newsmen in Wakama yesterday that the INEC Returning Officer failed to address the issues of fraud and manipulation raised by LP agents.

According to him, thumb printing, rather than election, took place in Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga, Umme Ward, as well as Alushi Wards in Nassarawa Eggon council, as the BVAS was not used. He also listed Agyaga and Ningo-Bohar wards and Gudi polling units in Akwanga council as places where figures were allegedly manipulated.

Meanwhile, LP agent, Dr Ben Ango, reportedly walked out of the collation centre in Akwanga shortly after the results from the three councils were compiled, with party officials faulting the collation process.

Future Outlook

The disputed Nasarawa North by-election, coupled with simultaneous integrity controversies during the Ekiti State governorship poll, points toward escalating legal battles. Political analysts expect opposition parties to file formal petitions before the election tribunals, questioning the operational neutrality of INEC ahead of the nationwide 2027 general elections.

FAQs

Who won the Nasarawa North senatorial by-election?

Danladi Halilu-EnvuluAnza of the All Progressives Congress won the election after polling 45,362 votes.

Why are opposition parties rejecting the Nasarawa North election results?

The Labour Party and the Nigeria Democratic Congress claim the election suffered from widespread irregularities, including BVAS technological failures, ballot logo omissions, and manual result alterations.

Who came second and third in the senatorial contest?

Labaran Maku of the Labour Party finished second with 12,931 votes, followed by Emmanuel Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party in third place with 11,570 votes.

What technical errors were reported during the voting process?

Voters and party officials reported widespread malfunctions of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices alongside the printing of incorrect party symbols on official ballot sheets.