The All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded major electoral victories on Saturday, securing the Ekiti State governorship election and winning five of six bye-elections conducted across the country. The party, however, failed to clinch the Rivers South-East Senatorial seat, which was won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji was re-elected in a landslide victory, polling 319,224 votes to defeat PDP candidate Dr. Wole Oluyede, who garnered 40,543 votes. Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came a distant third with 12,872 votes.
Following his victory, Oyebanji pledged to intensify efforts to improve governance and deliver greater dividends of democracy to the people of the state. He described the election outcome as historic, noting that the poll was conducted peacefully without the violence often associated with previous elections in the state.
According to the governor, the result reflected the confidence Ekiti residents have in his administration and the progress achieved during his first term. He also credited President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms for providing states with more resources to execute development projects.
Oyebanji, who became the first governor in Ekiti’s history to win consecutive elections since the return to democracy in 1999, said he had reached out to his opponents to congratulate them and promote unity after the contest.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the governor on his victory and commended Ekiti voters for their peaceful conduct throughout the election. He also praised security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring a credible process.
The President urged Oyebanji to remain inclusive and magnanimous in victory while consolidating on achievements recorded in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, youth empowerment and rural development.
Similarly, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, described the outcome as a strong endorsement of APC policies and governance.
Despite the victory, the ADC rejected the result. Its candidate, Ambassador Bejide, alleged widespread vote buying and described the election as an assault on democracy, insisting that the process did not reflect the true wishes of Ekiti voters.
Election observer group Yiaga Africa also raised concerns over some aspects of the poll. The organisation reported cases of voter inducement, challenges with voter verification technology and breaches of ballot secrecy in some polling units.
Meanwhile, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS visited the Election Result Analysis Dashboard (ERAD) Centre in Ado-Ekiti, reiterating its support for democratic governance and civic participation through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme.
Beyond Ekiti, APC candidates emerged victorious in bye-elections held in Nasarawa, Kano, Ondo, Enugu and Kebbi states.
In Nasarawa North Senatorial District, APC candidate Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza won with 45,362 votes. Labour Party candidate Labaran Maku, who finished second, rejected the outcome and vowed to challenge it in court.
In Kano State, Rabiu Shuaibu of the APC won the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye-election with 35,356 votes, securing victory by a wide margin over his rivals.
The APC also triumphed in the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election, where Prof. Dayo Faduyile secured 68,474 votes to emerge victorious.
However, the party suffered a setback in Rivers State, where PDP candidate and former senator Olaka Nwogu won the Rivers South-East Senatorial bye-election with 46,961 votes. He defeated APC candidate Osarokaka Erewari, who polled 1,647 votes.
The Action Alliance (AA) candidate, Douglas Fabeke, rejected the Rivers result, alleging electoral irregularities and accusing INEC of failing to conduct a transparent process. He called for the cancellation of the election and threatened legal action.
Overall, the elections strengthened the APC’s position across several states while highlighting ongoing concerns from opposition parties and election observers over the conduct of some polls.
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