PORT HARCOURT/KANO — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has consolidated its legislative grip in Rivers State following a decisive sweep of two House of Assembly seats, even as a wave of political turbulence hit Kano State where major opposition parties staged a high-profile boycott of the polls.
The Saturday by-elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were defined by a sharp contrast: a clear victory for the ruling party in the South-South and a complete breakdown of participation by the “Big Three” opposition groups in the North.
apc dominance in rivers
In Rivers State, the APC candidates Henrietta Bulabari and Ukalikpe Napoleon emerged victorious in the Khana II and Ahoada East II constituencies, respectively.
- Khana II: Bulabari polled 7,647 votes, effectively crushing her rivals from the NNPP, YPP, and ZLP.
- Ahoada East II: Napoleon secured 3,980 votes, leaving his closest challenger with a mere 38 votes.
Despite the landslide, the exercise was marred by significant voter apathy. In Khana II, only 7,834 voters cast their ballots out of a registered population of over 71,000, raising concerns over the growing disconnect between the electorate and the ballot box.
kano: a ballot without opposition
The political atmosphere in Kano was far more combustible. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) were conspicuously missing from the ballot papers.
The opposition groups kicked against the process, alleging that the elections were a “pre-arranged charade” riddled with irregularities. While the state’s ruling NNPP was reportedly excluded due to unresolved internal litigation, the PDP and ADC cited “inadequate notice” and a lack of trust in the electoral umpire as reasons for their withdrawal.
ramadan and apathy
Turnout in Kano was historically low. INEC officials noted that the ongoing Ramadan fast kept many voters indoors, but analysts argue the absence of the state’s most popular parties left the electorate with little incentive to participate.
As the APC celebrates its gains in Rivers, the exclusion of the NNPP from the Kano polls is expected to trigger a fresh round of legal battles, with opposition leaders vowing to challenge the legitimacy of the results in the coming days.
