Verified Reports On Nigeria’s 2025 By-Elections: Winners And Key Outcomes.
On August 16, 2025, Nigeria conducted by-elections across 16 constituencies in 12 states to fill vacant legislative seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly. Organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), these elections were necessitated by resignations, deaths, or court rulings affecting previous officeholders. The process was reported as largely peaceful, with results announced by INEC on August 16 and 17, 2025.
Overview of the By-Elections
The by-elections covered two senatorial districts (Anambra and Edo), five federal constituencies (Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo), and nine state constituencies across Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara. Approximately 3.55 million registered voters participated, with security agencies deployed to ensure a smooth process. The All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated the elections, securing 12 of the 16 seats, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each claimed at least one seat. Elections in Zamfara were declared inconclusive due to unresolved issues.
Verified Winners by Constituency
Below is a list of winners, confirmed by INEC and reported across multiple sources:
1. Edo Central Senatorial District (Edo State)
– Winner: Hon. Joseph Ikpea (APC)
– Details: Ikpea secured 105,129 votes, defeating Prince Joe Okojie (PDP), who polled 15,146 votes. The election filled the vacancy left by Sen. Monday Okpebholo, who became Edo State governor. The announcement was made by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Kingsley Omo-Iwoze, in Ubiaja, Esan South-East. Ikpea dedicated his victory to the people, promising quality representation.
2. Edo South Senatorial District (Edo State)
– Winner: Not explicitly named in reports, but APC confirmed as winner.
– Details: The APC secured this seat, part of the party’s sweep in Edo State. Specific candidate details were not provided in the referenced sources, but the victory was acknowledged by President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders.
3. Ovia Federal Constituency (Edo State)
– Winner: Barrister Omosede Igbinedion (APC)
– Details: Igbinedion won with 77,053 votes, defeating Johnny Aikpitanyi (PDP), who scored 3,838 votes, and Dr. Sandra Asemota (ADC), with 925 votes. The seat was vacated by Hon. Dennis Idahosa, now Edo State deputy governor. INEC’s Returning Officer, Clement Ighodaro, announced the results.
4. Remo Federal Constituency (Ogun State)
– Winner: Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji (APC)
– Details: Elegbeji polled 41,237 votes, defeating the PDP candidate, who secured 14,324 votes. The announcement was made by Returning Officer Prof. Kazeem Olajide Bello at the INEC collation center in Ikenne.
5. Ibadan North Federal Constituency (Oyo State)
– Winner: Folajimi Oyekunle (PDP)
– Details: Oyekunle won with 18,404 votes, defeating Hon. Adewale Olatunji (APC), who polled 8,312 votes. The results were announced by Returning Officer Professor Abiodun Oluwadare at Ikolaba High School, Ibadan. This was one of the few non-APC victories.
6. Garki-Babura Federal Constituency (Jigawa State)
– Winner: Muktar Rabi’u (APC)
– Details: Rabi’u secured 38,449 votes, defeating Isa Auwalu (PDP), who polled 13,519 votes. The results were announced by Returning Officer Professor Sani Ibrahim Ismail at the Babura collation center. Notably, at Polling Unit 001 (Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School), where Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru voted, the PDP outperformed the APC, securing 308 votes to APC’s 112.
7. Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency (Kaduna State)
– Winner: Not explicitly named, but APC confirmed as winner.
– Details: The APC won this constituency, as reported by The Guardian and Informant Online. Specific candidate details were not provided in the sources.
8. Dekina-Okura II Federal Constituency (Kogi State)
– Winner: Not explicitly named, but APC confirmed as winner.
– Details: The APC secured this seat, contributing to its dominant performance. Candidate details were not specified in the referenced reports.
9. Ganye Constituency (Adamawa State)**
– Winner: Misa Musa (APC)
– Details: Musa won with 15,923 votes, narrowly defeating Buba Muhammed Joda (PDP), who polled 15,794 votes. Returning Officer Professor Muktar Ahmed announced the results.
10. Munya Constituency (Niger State)
– Winner: Mathew Dogara Daje (APC)
– Details: Daje won with a margin of over 6,000 votes against Hon. Sabo Sunday Adabyinlo (PDP). The seat was vacated due to the death of Hon. Joseph Haruna Duza (PDP).
11. Ghari/Tsanyawa Constituency (Kano State)
– Winner: Garba Ya’u Gwarmai (APC)
– Details: Gwarmai won the supplementary election with 31,472 votes, defeating Yusuf Ali Maigado (NNPP), who polled 27,931 votes. The initial election was inconclusive, and tensions arose as NNPP leaders staged a sit-in at INEC’s Kano office, alleging manipulation attempts.
12. Bagwai/Shanono Constituency (Kano State)
– Winner: Dr. Ali Hassan Kiyawa (NNPP)
– Details: Kiyawa won with 16,198 votes, defeating Ahmad Muhammad Kadamu (APC), who polled 5,347 votes. Returning Officer Professor Hassan Adamu Shitu announced the results at 12:36 a.m. on August 17. This was a notable victory for the NNPP.
13. Basawa Constituency (Kaduna State)
– Winner: Not explicitly named, but APC confirmed as winner.
– Details: The APC secured this state constituency, as reported by The Guardian and Informant Online. Candidate details were not specified.
14. Zaria Kewaye Constituency (Kaduna State)
– Winner: Not explicitly named, but APC confirmed as winner.
– Details: The APC won this state constituency, contributing to its strong performance in Kaduna. Specific candidate details were not provided.
15. Anambra South Senatorial District (Anambra State)
– Winner: Not explicitly named, but APGA confirmed as winner.
– Details: The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured one of the two seats it won, as reported by Vanguard News. Candidate details were not specified in the sources.
16. Unspecified Constituency (Anambra State)
– Winner: Not explicitly named, but APGA confirmed as winner.
– Details: APGA won a second seat in Anambra, as per Vanguard News. Specific constituency and candidate details were not provided.
Key Observations and Reactions
– APC Dominance: The APC’s victory in 12 of the 16 constituencies was hailed by President Bola Tinubu, who praised INEC for conducting largely peaceful elections and congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for the party’s success under his leadership. Tinubu emphasized the importance of fielding popular candidates and party unity, urging other parties to uphold sportsmanship.
– Opposition Wins: The PDP secured one seat in Ibadan North, while the NNPP won in Bagwai/Shanono, and APGA claimed two seats in Anambra. These victories indicate pockets of opposition strength despite APC’s dominance.
– Zamfara Inconclusive: Elections in Zamfara were declared inconclusive, with no winners announced due to unresolved issues.
– Controversies: In Kano’s Ghari/Tsanyawa constituency, NNPP leaders protested at INEC’s office, alleging manipulation attempts. Despite this, the APC candidate was declared the winner. In Jigawa, the PDP outperformed the APC at the Defence Minister’s polling unit, highlighting localized opposition strength.
– Political Implications: Analysts, such as Dr. Obube O.A., noted that the by-elections served as a “political thermometer” for the 2027 general election, signaling strong APC support in regions like Edo, Kaduna, and Jigawa, while opposition parties retained influence in specific areas.
Conclusion
The 2025 by-elections in Nigeria showcased the APC’s electoral dominance, with 12 victories across 16 constituencies, reflecting strong organizational capacity and voter support. The PDP, NNPP, and APGA secured limited but significant wins, indicating competitive dynamics in certain regions. INEC’s handling of the elections was commended for its transparency and minimal violence, though concerns about manipulation in Kano highlight ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s electoral process. These results provide a glimpse into the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election, with the APC solidifying its position while opposition parties maintain relevance in key constituencies.
