A candidate from Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) suffered a symbolic setback in a local by-election on Saturday after losing the contest in his own polling unit to a rival from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Adewale Haastrup Olatunji, the APC’s representative vying for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat in southwestern Nigeria, secured only six votes at Unit 27 in Ward 10, where he cast his ballot earlier in the day. The PDP’s Fola Sunday Oyekunle claimed victory there with nine votes, while the Labour Party (LP) trailed with two, according to results announced at the polling station.
The outcome, reported by Media Talk Africa, highlighted strikingly low voter participation: only 17 ballots were cast out of 248 registered voters in the unit, representing a turnout of roughly 6.8%. The results, though limited to a single polling unit, underscore broader challenges in voter mobilization and political engagement in Nigeria, where participation in regional and legislative elections often lags behind presidential polls.
Olatunji’s defeat on home turf carries symbolic weight in Nigerian politics, where candidates typically aim to secure strong support within their immediate communities. The PDP’s narrow win in the unit comes amid a backdrop of shifting alliances and localized competition, even as the APC maintains a majority at the national level. The seat became vacant following recent political realignments, though the original cause of the vacancy was not specified in the report.
Electoral officials conducted the vote under what local sources described as largely calm conditions, with no immediate reports of irregularities. With Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still finalizing results across the constituency, political analysts caution that the polling unit tally reflects only a fraction of the broader race. The Ibadan North constituency, part of Oyo State, has historically seen tight contests between the APC and PDP, making voter turnout and localized dynamics critical to the final outcome.
As vote counting continues, observers note that low participation rates in by-elections are not uncommon in Nigeria, often attributed to voter apathy, logistical hurdles, or a perception that such contests lack national significance. However, Saturday’s exercise offers a partial gauge of political sentiment ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections in 2027, where economic instability and security concerns are expected to dominate debates. For now, the APC’s loss in its candidate’s immediate community serves as a reminder of the hyperlocal nature of Nigerian politics and the unpredictable currents that shape even minor electoral battles.
