By Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated winners of Saturday’s by-elections across 12 states, praising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting polls “mostly devoid of violence.”
The 16 August elections, held to fill legislative vacancies in 16 constituencies, saw the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) win 12 seats. Opposition parties secured four: the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won two, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) claimed one each.
In a statement by his aide Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu hailed the exercise as a demonstration of “growing electoral maturity,” adding: “The elections were mostly devoid of violence.” He reserved particular praise for INEC, calling its performance “hitch-free.”
The president also celebrated the APC’s victories as the first under its new chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda: “Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders.”
Addressing supporters, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reform: “To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria.”
He urged defeated candidates to prioritise national unity, enjoining them to be “guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.”
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