Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have emerged victorious in the House of Assembly by-elections conducted in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2 of Rivers State.

The Returning Officer, Rosemary Ogbo, declared that the APC candidates — Napoleon Ukalikpe and Burabari Loloo — secured the highest number of valid votes cast and satisfied the requirements of the law.

In Ahoada East Constituency 2, Ukalikpe polled 3,980 votes to defeat Ego Marvelous of the Action Alliance, who scored 33 votes, and Godstime Egor of the Action Party of Nigeria, who garnered 38 votes. Other candidates recorded single-digit tallies. Ogbo subsequently declared Ukalikpe duly elected.

In Khana Constituency 2, Loloo secured 7,647 votes to defeat candidates of various opposition parties and clinch the seat.

Reacting to his victory, Loloo pledged inclusive representation, promising to carry constituents along in governance. Ukalikpe also expressed satisfaction with the turnout and conduct of the exercise, describing the process as smooth and peaceful while commending security personnel for maintaining order.

Observers, however, reported low voter turnout in parts of Ahoada East, including some polling units in Ogbelle Town, where few voters were seen despite movement restrictions.

At the collation centre in Taabaa, Khana Local Government Area, security personnel maintained order as election officials sorted and verified results in line with guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Yomere, described the by-elections as peaceful and orderly, noting that the process was conducted without incidents of violence. He attributed voter apathy in some areas to factors beyond the commission’s control, adding that adequate publicity and voter sensitisation were carried out ahead of the polls.

The by-elections were largely calm across the affected communities, with normal activities continuing in some areas as voting progressed.

Governor Abba Yusuf has defended his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that the move is aimed at repositioning Kano State at the centre of national decision-making and accelerating development for its residents.

Speaking on Monday at the 2026 APC ‘grand rally’ held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Yusuf addressed thousands of party faithful and supporters, framing his defection as a strategic choice driven by responsibility rather than personal ambition.

“Kano can no longer afford to be sidelined from the centre,” the governor said. “It is about placing Kano in a position where it can fully participate in national development and secure a better future for its citizens.”

Aligning with the Centre

Yusuf argued that aligning with the ruling party at the federal level would enable Kano to actively engage with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and unlock accelerated development through stronger ties with Abuja.

“With the support of our great party and the cooperation of the Federal Government, Kano State is better positioned to move forward with confidence and stability,” he told the crowd.

The governor’s defection follows his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in January, citing internal crises and leadership disputes within the party. His exit from the NNPP marked a significant political shift in Kano, a state that has long been central to Nigeria’s electoral arithmetic.

High-Profile Reception

Yusuf expressed gratitude to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who formally received him into the APC fold at the rally, describing the gesture as symbolic of unity and national cohesion.

The event drew an array of prominent political figures, including governors from Jigawa, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, and Plateau states. Also in attendance were Abdullahi Ganduje, former APC national chairman and ex-governor of Kano, as well as Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

National chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the large turnout as a strong signal of unity and commitment to the party’s agenda and Tinubu’s broader political vision.

Political Implications

Analysts say Yusuf’s defection could significantly reshape Kano’s political landscape ahead of future electoral cycles, potentially consolidating APC’s influence in the North-West. The move also underscores the continuing realignments within Nigeria’s party system, where strategic alliances with the federal ruling party often carry substantial developmental and political implications.

For Yusuf, however, the message was clear: the decision, he said, is about ensuring Kano’s voice is heard at the highest levels of governance — and about securing tangible benefits for the people he was elected to serve.

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Obi made the declaration on Saturday at the Obidient Conference and Official Declaration for ADC held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with the theme, ‘Activating the PO Effect in ADC.’

Addressing supporters at the event, Obi alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not recognise any leadership of the Labour Party (LP) as long as he remained a member, claiming that this informed his decision to leave the party.

“I left LP when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognise its leadership, that the federal government doesn’t want me on the ballot,” he said.

He added that he would participate in the next general election regardless of perceived obstacles.

“I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it is held in their bedroom, and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit them for them,” Obi stated.

The former governor also criticised the current administration’s borrowing profile, alleging that it had accumulated more loans than previous governments. He expressed concern that a significant portion of the debt repayment would fall between 2045 and 2050.

Obi pledged that, if elected, his administration would prioritise investment in education and healthcare, arguing that sustainable national development depends on deliberate investment in human capital.

He also promised to tackle corruption, asserting that it would be significantly reduced under a leadership that does not tolerate personal or family involvement in corrupt practices.

Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Anambra State, Obi said he declined to create a formal Office of the First Lady and did not allocate government land to himself or his family.

“When I became governor of Anambra, I advised my wife to forget about the Office of First Lady because we were not elected together. I approved over 100 Certificates of Occupancy on government land, but had none for myself or my family. If you find any, petition me to the appropriate authority,” he said.

Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, urged supporters to mobilise ahead of the 2027 general election and rally behind the ADC.

Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the movement, Dr. Ben Smith, described the 2027 election as a defining moment focused on youth employment, security, workers’ welfare and national renewal.