Kano elections turn violent: 288 thugs arrested as APC, PDP demand cancellation
PDP agent, INEC officials arrested over alleged vote buying in Kaduna, Ogun
APGA accused of vote buying as Soludo links APC to commissionerโs attack
By our reporters
In by-elections held across 12 states, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victory in Kogi State’s Egume/Dekina State Constituency, with candidate Musa Hassan Yakubu winning 55,073 votesโfar ahead of the PDP’s 1,038 votes.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State’s Ibadan North Federal Constituency, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious as Folajinmi Oyekunle (“Don”) polled 18,404 votes against the APC’s 8,312.
The elections were marked by low voter turnout and heavy security presence. The Oyo by-election was triggered by the death of incumbent Prince Olaide Aderemi (“Jagaban”), while Kogi’s followed the vacancy of a state assembly seat. Other parties like APGA, SDP, and ADC recorded minimal votes in both contests.
INEC monitored the polls, which proceeded without major disruptions, though voter apathy was notable. The results reinforce the ongoing dominance of the two major parties in their respective strongholds.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also declared Chief Emma Nwachukwu (Onแปdแปฅgo) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election.
Nwachukwu secured a resounding victory with 90,408 votes, defeating his closest rival, the APC candidate, who polled 19,847 votes. The YPP came third with 6,538 votes, while the PDP recorded a dismal 68 votes.
The by-election, held to fill the vacant seat, reaffirms APGA’s stronghold in Anambra State. INEC officials confirmed the election was peaceful, with no major incidents reported.
Nwachukwu, in his acceptance speech, pledged to prioritize grassroots development and effective representation at the Senate.
Elections mared with violence, vote buying and thuggery
Nigeriaโs latest round of by-elections, held across 12 states on Saturday, were overshadowed by widespread violence, brazen vote-buying, and shocking allegations of political thuggery. From Kano to Anambra, the pollsโmeant to fill vacancies caused by resignations and deaths of legislatorsโinstead became a litany of electoral malpractice, with the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both calling for cancellations in some areas.
In Kano, armed thugs overran polling units, forcing voters to flee, while in Ogun and Kaduna, INEC officials and party agents were arrested with stacks of cash allegedly meant for vote-buying.
Anambraโs governor, Chukwuma Soludo, accused opposition parties of orchestrating attacks, including the assault of his environment commissioner.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has also been accused of vote buying.
Kano: Thugs Overrun Polls as APC, PDP Demand Cancellation
The most severe breakdown of order occurred in Kano, where the by-elections for the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency and the rerun for Ghari/Tsanyawa were marred by extreme violence. Kanoโs Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, confirmed the arrest of 288 thugs armed with weapons, many of whom were allegedly hired to disrupt voting.
Both the APC and PDP called for the cancellation of the elections, citing โwidespread violence and disruption.โ Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, stated: “Verifiable reports from Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas and Ghari constituency have voters fleeing polling areas, with deployed security personnel overwhelmed by the violence, making the prospects of a credible election impossible.โ
The PDPโs Kano chapter confirmed the these development, with spokesperson Kibiya accusing unnamed actors of manipulating the process.
โWe reject the behaviour observed from some quarters, which we believe is aimed at bending the electoral process to the advantage of particular interests.โ
The scale of arrests suggests a coordinated effort to intimidate voters, raising fears that such tactics could become normalised in future elections.
Ogun & Kaduna: INEC Officials, Party Agents Caught in Vote-Buying Sting
While Kano grappled with violence, Ogun and Kaduna became the epicentres of vote-buying scandals. In Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, security operatives raided a hotel, arresting PDP officials and two INEC staff with large sums of money. A viral video showed an INEC officer admitting:
โI was asked by my supervisor to go and collect the cash from the politicians.โ*
The PDP denied wrongdoing, with spokesperson Akinloye Bankole calling the arrests a โcommando-style operationโ meant to intimidate.
In Kaduna, police intercepted a suspect with N25. 9 million allegedly meant for vote-buying.
But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has refuted police claims that N25.9 million seized from a member during Saturday’s by-elections was meant for vote-buying, insisting the funds were allocated for 5,000 party agents’ welfare.
Police arrested Shehu Aliyu Patangi with N25,963,000 at a Kaduna hotel, alleging the cash was intended to influence voters in elections held across three constituencies. However, PDP Chairman Edward Masha clarified at a press conference that the money covered logistical support for over 6,000 agents and supervisors deployed to 169 polling units.
“Even at N3,000 per agent, this would exceed N30 million,” Masha stated, dismissing the vote-buying accusation as “mischievous and an insult to Nigerians’ intelligence.” He further alleged systematic harassment by security agencies acting “at the behest of the Kaduna State government,” citing Friday’s raid on the campaign office of House of Representatives candidate Esther Dawaki, where 22 party officials were reportedly detained.
The PDP accused the ruling APC of weaponizing state institutions to suppress opposition, as tensions over electoral integrity persist following the contentious polls.
The PDP also claimed its House of Representatives candidate, Princess Esther Dawaki, and 25 supporters were abducted by security agentsโa charge authorities have yet to address.
Anambra: Soludo Accuses APC of Thuggery as APGA Faces Vote-Buying Claims
In the South-East, Anambraโs by-election was no less contentious. Governor Chukwuma Soludo alleged that thugs linked to the APC attacked his environment commissioner, Felix Odimegwu, in Nnewi South.
โMy commissioner was in pains and crying that the APC governorship candidate took truckloads of police and thugs, going from polling unit to another beating up people”, said Governor Soludo.
Meanwhile, the ruling APGA has been accused of massive vote-buying, with voters reporting offers of N10,000 to N25,000 per ballot.
A voter, Comfort Okoye, stated: โThey came here and gave everybody money. Some of us rejected their offers, but others didnโt. It is unfortunate.โ
The clashes and cash-for-votes schemes underscore the desperation of political actors, even in a region traditionally dominated by one party.
Low Voter Turnout in Kogi
The by-election in Kogi Eastโs Okura constituency saw deserted polling units as voters stayed away, citing indifference, frustration, and fear of violence. Despite bustling markets and open shops, many residents, like shop owner Musa Ibrahim, skipped voting, doubting elections would bring change. Reports of thugs harassing officials and rumors of ballot snatching further deterred participation.
Electoral commissioner Dr. Oliver Agundu acknowledged poor turnout, attributing it to weak voter mobilization and isolated violence, though he praised staff and security for their efforts. Police claimed the process was peaceful, but locals disputed this, with a viral video alleging electoral material diversion by the ruling party.
The mood reflected deep distrust in the political system, with trader Mary Okoli summing up widespread resignation: โWe want to choose our leaders, but the system is frustrating us.โ The election, meant to replace a deceased lawmaker, instead highlighted voter disillusionment and security concerns.
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