The outcome of the Bye-Election was a sobering reminder of the steep challenge ahead in ADC’s mission to unseat the APC in 2027
APC Sweeps Bye-Elections as Coalition’s ADC Suffers Humiliating Defeat
The much-anticipated test of strength for Nigeria’s opposition coalition ended in disappointment on Saturday, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — the adopted platform of coalition leaders — failed to win a single seat in the nationwide re-run and bye-elections.
Despite heavy backing from key political figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, the ADC struggled across the 12 states where polls were held.
Ahead of the elections, the Interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, had passionately appealed for support, urging Nigerians to rally behind the party. “We call on eligible voters to throw their weight behind our candidates for all the vacant seats,” Mark said in a pre-election statement.
The coalition saw the elections as a litmus test of their popularity as they gear up to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. But results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) painted a different picture.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured a dominant victory, winning 12 seats. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) managed to snatch one seat each, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) claimed two.
ADC, however, ended the exercise without a single win, trailing far behind with what observers described as “remarkably low votes.”
The vacant seats contested included the Edo Central Senatorial District, Anambra South Senatorial District, Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Onitsha North I State Constituency, and Bagwai-Shanono Constituency — all of which were captured by APC, PDP, APGA, and NNPP candidates.
For many within the coalition, the outcome was a sobering reminder of the steep challenge ahead in their mission to unseat the APC in 2027. Read More
