President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated winners of Saturday’s by-elections held in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

In a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what he described as largely hitch-free polls, mostly devoid of violence.

According to INEC’s declared results, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victory in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won two, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won one each.

Tinubu also congratulated the newly elected APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on what he called an “emphatic first victory” under his leadership, as well as APC governors and leaders for the party’s success.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President said.

He thanked APC members and the electorate for their support, assuring them that the Renewed Hope agenda of his administration would deliver a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.

The President further commended all political parties and candidates who took part in the exercise and urged them to embrace sportsmanship, fair contest, and magnanimity as pillars of enduring democracy.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has rejected the outcome of the re-run elections in Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies, alleging widespread irregularities, violence, and voter intimidation.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday in Kano, the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Kibiya, described the exercise as “totally devoid of democratic principles.” He accused political thugs of disrupting the process and intimidating eligible voters, calling the elections “a charade.”

Kibiya urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties, warning that the credibility of the electoral process was at stake. He also called on security agencies to protect voters, maintain peace, and prevent violence during elections.

The PDP chairman further advised political leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and demanded investigations into alleged electoral breaches, with prosecution of offenders to deter future misconduct.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Police Command announced the arrest of 288 suspected thugs during the elections. Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori disclosed the figure in Shanono Local Government Area, adding that investigations were ongoing and that those found culpable would be prosecuted.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded the cancellation of the by-election for Shanono-Bagwai Constituency and the rerun election in Ghari Constituency of Kano State.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement on Saturday, alleged that the polls were marred by widespread violence and disruptions by armed thugs at several polling units.

He said voters were forced to flee polling areas while security personnel deployed to the constituencies were overwhelmed by the attacks.

Morka argued that the situation made it impossible to conduct a credible election.