- Tension Rises As LP, PDP, APC, ADC, INEC Clash Ahead Of By-Elections.
- Parties clash with INEC over exclusion of candidates.
- Security agencies enforce measures to ensure peaceful polls.
With less than 48 hours to the scheduled by-elections in 12 states, tensions are rising as major political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission remain locked in disputes over the final list of candidates.
The elections, which will fill two senatorial seats, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies, involve 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the senatorial contests are set for Anambra South and Edo Central, while federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo will also be contested.
Nine state constituencies across Adamawa, Anambra, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara are on the ballot.
The Labour Party’s participation remains uncertain after INEC excluded its candidates, whose names were submitted by the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, confirmed the matter is in court, while affected candidates and civil society groups have protested at INEC headquarters.
However, the party’s interim leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman supports INEC’s decision, insisting the excluded candidates emerged from illegal primaries.
The Social Democratic Party is also awaiting a court ruling to determine the fate of its candidates. In Edo State, the PDP has accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Anugbum Onuaha, of bias and demanded his removal, an allegation Onuaha has dismissed.
In Oyo State, the police have ordered markets closed and restricted movement on election day, with all participating parties signing a peace accord.
In Adamawa, parties signed a peace agreement amid PDP allegations that the APC is distributing flood relief materials to sway voters, which the APC denies.
Fierce campaigns are ongoing in Zamfara, Anambra, and Taraba, while the ADC in Kano has boycotted polls over alleged electoral malpractice. In Kogi State, five parties will contest the Dekina-Okura seat, with INEC assuring readiness for the polls.
