The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured victory in a closely watched bye-election for the Niger State House of Assembly, with its candidate, Mathew Dogara Daje, declared winner by Nigeria’s electoral body. The Saturday, August 16 vote in Munya Constituency followed the death of incumbent legislator Joseph Haruna Duza of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose sudden passing in May left the seat vacant.
Daje clinched the position with 6,044 more votes than PDP challenger Sabo Sunday Adabyinlo, according to official results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The African Democratic Congress (ADC) trailed distantly in third place. The election drew mixed voter participation, with some polling units reporting brisk turnout while others saw limited activity.
Voting opened at 8:30 a.m. under tight security, including deployments of up to 30 officers per station, though officials noted an orderly process overall. “Voters conducted themselves peacefully despite the heightened presence of security personnel,” said an INEC official, who declined to be named. Five electoral wards—Kuchi, Beni, Dangunu, Kabila, and Kazai—saw polling units relocated pre-emptively due to safety risks, though no violence was reported on election day. Authorities adhered strictly to voting hours, allowing those in line by the 3:30 p.m. cutoff to cast ballots.
The outcome drew immediate backlash from the PDP, whose candidate Adabyinlo denounced the results as manipulated. “This was not a free contest. Resources meant for public welfare were diverted to influence voters, and our supporters faced intimidation,” he said in a statement. While not providing concrete evidence, his allegations echoed broader concerns about irregularities in Nigerian elections, including vote-buying—a recurring issue in recent polls.
In his victory address, Daje praised Niger State Governor Umaru Bago and APC loyalists for their support, calling the win a “mandate to serve all constituents.” Analysts suggest the result could strengthen the APC’s influence in the state assembly, where it now holds 21 of 40 seats.
The election underscores persistent tensions in Nigeria’s electoral process, balancing robust voter engagement against recurring claims of malpractice. INEC has yet to respond formally to the PDP’s complaints, though legal challenges to the results are anticipated in a nation where post-election litigation remains common.
