Nigeria’s Supplementary Polls Alter Legislative Map and Spark Observer Feuds

Nigeria’s Supplementary Polls Alter Legislative Map and Spark Observer Feuds

Voters across multiple states participated in crucial legislative by-elections, reshuffling regional power dynamics and triggering sharp administrative disputes. The outcomes have drastically altered local representations while simultaneously raising severe constitutional questions regarding the neutrality of official election observers in concurrent state contests.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Rosemary Ogu, announced the results at the senatorial district collation centre in Bori, Khana Local Council Area, stating that Nwogu secured a total of 47,961 votes to emerge as the winner.

According to the official results released by INEC, the candidate of the All Pancakes Congress (APC), Osarosaka Ebenezer, polled 1,647 votes, while the Action Alliance (AA) candidate, Douglas Fabeke, scored 1,175 votes. The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Sam Bariboa, came fourth with 367 votes.

The by-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of the late Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented the district before his passing earlier this year.

Nwogu’s overwhelming victory further underscores the political influence of the coalition of parties aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The four political parties that participated in the election — PDP, APC, AA and LP — are all members of the political alliance popularly known as the “Rainbow Coalition.”

Speaking after his declaration, Nwogu pledged to provide effective representation for the people of the senatorial district and expressed appreciation to voters for their support.

IN a similar development, the PDP candidate in Saturday’s senatorial by-election in Enugu North, Enugu State, Dr Nestor Ezeme, has rejected the outcome of the exercise, saying he would approach the court to recover the mandate.

INEC had declared the APC candidate, Ikeje Asogwa, as the winner of the Enugu North Senatorial by-election. Announcing the result at the INEC office in Nsukka yesterday, the Returning Officer, Prof. Christian Ezeibe, said Asogwa secured 162,360 votes to defeat Ezeme, who garnered 9,299 votes.

Reacting to the outcome, the Director of Media and Strategy Communication for the Ikeje Asogwa Campaign Organisation, Samson Ezea, described the victory as a clear reflection of the widespread support enjoyed by the APC candidate across the six local council areas in Enugu North.

But Ezeme kicked against the results, alleging that it was a “pure” manipulation and did not reflect the actual voting by the people of the zone.

MEANWHILE, the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has congratulated the winner and candidate of APC in Saturday’s by-election for Enugu North Senatorial District, Asogwa, describing the landslide victory as an affirmation of the party’s overwhelming acceptance and dominance in the state’s politics.

Mbah noted that the people of the senatorial district had not only made the best choice for quality representation, but had also demonstrated total alignment with the APC.

ADC rejects result

The result of the governorship poll was rejected by the (ADC) candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, who alleged widespread vote-buying, over-voting, result alterations and intimidation during the exercise.

Bejide claimed that political appointees and security operatives were deployed in a manner that turned parts of the election into what he described as a “war zone,” adding that bags of money were openly moved around polling units to influence voters.

The INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Adenike Oladiji, who declared the final result about 3am on Sunday, disclosed that Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his two closest challengers, Dr Wole Oluyede of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bejide of the ADC.

The PDP candidate garnered 40,543 votes; while the ADC candidate finished third with 12,872 votes.

On his part, Governor Oyebanji described his re-election as a renewed call to continue his service to the people.

Also, the APC, in a statement by its spokesman, Felix Morka, congratulated Governor Oyebanji on his re-election, describing his victory as epic as he became the first incumbent governor to win reelection in the state’s contemporary democratic history.

Envwulanza wins Nasarawa North by-election; Maku, NDC kick

The APC candidate for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election, Halilu Dangadi Envwulanza, has been declared the winner by the INEC. The by-election was held to fill the seat of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

Professor Aminu Ali, the Returning Officer, announced the results after collation of votes from Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba LGAs.

According to the results, Halilu Dangadi Envwulanza of APC polled 45,362 votes, Maku Labaran of Labour Party got 12,931 votes and Emmanuel David Ombugadu of PDP secured 11,570 votes.

The ADC candidate, Alaku Mohammed Steve, scored 1,496 votes, while John Wall Araneshiri (NNPP) got 102 votes.

Meanwhile, the LP’s candidate, Maku, called for the cancellation of the by-election, alleging widespread irregularities and non-adherence to electoral laws by INEC officials.

“I have observed that what took place in the bye-election in Nasarawa North was a complete sham. I consulted with my party. We decided that the best option is to pull out of the election,” Maku said.

Similarly, the state chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) rejected the results, demanding immediate cancellation over alleged exclusion of the party’s logo and other irregularities.

In a statement signed by Danjuma Joseph, NDC Publicity Secretary in the state, the party said it was omitted from INEC’s ballot papers and result sheets despite being a duly registered participant.

But the state chapter of the APC rejected calls for the cancellation of the election, describing the allegations as unfounded and a “gimmick of the opposition.”

Ogaba Augustine, Publicity Secretary of APC in the state, said, “It’s unfortunate that people go into an election without taking time to study the Electoral Act very well, especially the 2022 Electoral Act as amended.”

APC wins in Kano, Kebbi, Ondo; PDP takes Rivers

The INEC has declared Rabi’u Shuaibu of the APC as the winner of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election in Kano State.

by-election was to fill the vacuum created by the death of Muhammad Danjuma-Hassan of the NNPP.

Future Outlook

The systemic friction surrounding observer accreditations and localized ballot disputes signals a tense legislative cycle ahead. Observers note that the legal challenges mounted by trailing candidates in Nasarawa and Enugu will likely escalate to appellate courts, serving as a critical litmus test for the enforcement of the amended electoral guidelines.

FAQs

Who won the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election?

Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party secured the seat after polling a total of forty-seven thousand nine hundred and sixty-one votes in the weekend supplementary election.

Why was a by-election conducted in Nasarawa North?

The legislative exercise was mandated by the independent electoral commission to fill the vacancy left by the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

What caused the controversy regarding observers in the Ekiti State election?

The appearance of an active regional political party chairman wearing official commission observer vests sparked significant legal and institutional criticisms regarding non-partisan monitoring standards.