Déjà vu following voting in 16 constituencies across 12 states
Portions of the electorate voted in by-elections across 16 constituencies in 12 states on Saturday, 16 August 2025, with a recurring pattern of complaints. It sparked a familiar controversy.
While the APC celebrates a significant victory, opposition parties and civil society have strongly criticised the process as marred by malpractice and manipulation. The results underscore ongoing challenges to Nigerian electoral integrity, demonstrating partisan polarisation, logistical difficulties, and ongoing concerns over vote buying, intimidation, and the reliability of technology.
The scorecard:
• The ruling party, the All-Progressives Congress, won 12 out of the 16 seats.
• Other winners were the All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with two seats in Anambra, the Peoples Democratic Party won one seat in Oyo, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party won one seat in Kano.
• The APC won in Kaduna, Kogi, Jigawa, Edo, Niger, Adamawa, and Taraba.
• AN INEC-declared inconclusive election occurred in Zamfara due to cancelled results in some wards.
APC Perspective
President Bola Tinubu congratulated the winners and INEC. He emphasised INEC’s smooth conduct of the elections. Tinubu praised the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and highlighted the party’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The APC attributed their victory to presenting popular candidates, party discipline, and broad support from the electorate.
Opposition Parties kick
Opposition parties disagreed with the APC and President Tinubu.
The African Democratic Congress condemned the by-elections, ADC alleged intimidation and corruption. They claimed that the result did not reflect their true strength.
The Peoples Democratic Party rejected the results in several places, citing Edo and Adamawa. They alleged the sabotage of the key election technology (BVAS), vote buying, and alleged police bias in favour of the APC. Edo PDP described the process as a “blow to democratic integrity” and said it was “compromised”.
Adamawa PDP has threatened a legal challenge.
Civil Society and Electoral Process Concerns
Media reports across social and mainstream platforms highlighted the arrest of an INEC official found with a massive sum of money in Ogun State, allegations of vote buying across the states, including in Anambra.
Initial analyst’s verdict views APC’s sweep as further consolidation of power. Ruling parties retain their strongholds, while the opposition struggles to gain traction; notably, the ADC coalition opposition has failed to make headway.
Recurring accusations of vote buying and manipulation dented voter confidence. It raised concerns about fair representation and democracy’s health in Nigeria.
View from the street on forex management
Abdulrazak Ibrahim
Some Subtle Changes I’ve Noticed Lately
Over the past few months, I’ve noticed (as I am sure many others have) some small but meaningful improvements, especially with how we handle forex.
Converting dollars to naira using bank apps has always been there, but lately, the rates have been getting closer to the parallel market.
It might not seem like much, but it reduces the need to go through someone else or pay extra charges. It’s just simpler and a bit fairer.
Also, the naira debit card is working for international payments again, something that had been off the table for years.
Now we can pay for services online without stress or looking for someone abroad to help.
These are practical shifts that make life easier.
That said, the cost of living is still tough. Prices remain high, and people are feeling it.
But seeing minor improvements like these gives a bit of hope that we might be heading toward some stability.
Let’s see how it unfolds.
Ikhide R Ikheloa
True, this. I have noticed this on my trip. My app is my currency. Much easier to change foreign currency now. I did not need to bring physical cash with me. The Bureau de changes should be worried.
It is still a tough country. Una dey try, can’t wait to go back home to my America, thank God I wisely retrieved my Nigerian passport from the filthy gutters of Festac, SMH!
Comfort Emmanson continues to draw attention to herself and Ibom Air
