By Elizabeth Godwin
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated winners of Saturday’s by-elections across 16 constituencies in 12 states, praising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what he described as smooth and largely violence-free polls.
According to results announced by INEC, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victories in 12 constituencies, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won two seats. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) claimed one constituency each. Elections in Zamfara State were declared inconclusive.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended the APC’s new National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, describing the outcome as an emphatic endorsement of his leadership.
“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and when unity of purpose exists among party leaders,” Tinubu said.
The APC’s 12 seats were spread across the federation, including Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State; Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts, and Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo State; Garki-Babura in Jigawa; Basawa, Zaria Kewaye, and Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna; Munya in Niger; Ghari/Tsanyawa in Kano; Ganye in Adamawa; and Dekina-Okura II in Kogi.
APGA secured victories in the Anambra South Senatorial District and the Onitsha North I State Constituency, both in Anambra State. The PDP claimed Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State, while the NNPP took Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency in Kano.
President Tinubu applauded APC governors and other party leaders for their role in delivering the party’s success and thanked members and supporters for reposing confidence in the party.
“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. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” the President declared.
Tinubu also commended opposition parties for their participation, urging them to embrace sportsmanship, fair play, and magnanimity, which he described as vital to sustaining democracy.
The by-elections were conducted to fill vacant legislative seats across the federation and served as a test of INEC’s credibility and the political parties’ grassroots strength.
