The African Democratic Congress, ADC, a party recently adopted by the coalition of opposition leaders plotting to sack the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2027 have vowed to claim many seats in the by-election scheduled to take place across the country today.
Only Big Story reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is conducting by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states today.
During the election, two Senators are expected to be elected to represent Edo Central and Anambra South.
The election is also expected to hold in five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo States, as well as nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara States.
Similarly, INEC will be conducting elections in Enugu South I State Constituency of Enugu State and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State following a court order for re-run.
Only Big Story reports that most of the seats became vacant after the last elections due to deaths, loss of seats after litigation and resignation.
The Edo Central seat became vacant, following the resignation of Senator Monday Okpebholo who was elected governor.
ADC tests popularity
The by-election will mark the first election since the coalition of opposition leaders adopted the ADC as platform to contest the 2027 polls.
Only Big Story reports that the Interim National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former governors of Anambra, Kaduna and Rivers States, Peter Obi, Nasir El-rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, among others, have all been campaigning for ADC ahead of the by-election.
According to political analysts, the outcome of the elections may determine the strength of the ADC in the next elections.
Peter Obi’s controversial campaign in Anambra
Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, who was scheduled to lead the campaign of the party’s candidate for the November 8 Anambra State governorship poll was recently spotted campaigning for the ADC’s candidate for Onitsha North 1 House of Assembly by-election.
Although Obi is one of the key opposition leaders targeting President Tinubu’s removal in 2027 via ADC, he had consistently said he remained committed to the Labour Party.
His move to jettison the LP for ADC candidate triggered confusion in the political space last week.
However, the Labour Party Chairman in Anambra State, Hon. Emeh Ugochukwu Emmanuel, in an interview with Only Big Story on Friday, blamed INEC for Obi’s decision.
According to him, “INEC deceived Peter Obi. INEC cunningly inserted our logo on ballot papers but refused to upload details of our candidates so Peter Obi saw that as something he could not condone and decided to campaign for the ADC
“The ADC candidate in Onitsha is our candidate, she would have contested under the Labour Party but because of what INEC did, we decided that she should run using ADC.
“Now, the court has ordered the INEC to upload the details of our candidates, so right now, the Labour Party is contesting.
“Whether it has been uploaded or not, the court has given an order and the order must be obeyed.
“Labour Party is contesting in Anambra South Senatorial District but we don’t have a candidate in Onitsha North 1 because we wanted the woman to take over the seat of her husband who was murdered some time ago.
“It is a kind of compensation for the family. Although she is not in our party, she is still one of us”.
El-rufai woos Kaduna electorates to vote ADC
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday stormed the Chikun Local Government Area of the state to campaign for the ADC candidate, Alex Adamu for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency seat.
The former governor, who is currently a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and a member of the coalition of opposition leaders, stirred the internet with video clips from the event.
He was, however, criticized for allegedly abandoning the SDP candidates contesting for different positions across the state.
However, in a video he posted on his social media handle on Friday, El-rufai could be heard appealing to “all our voters in Zaria and Sabingari LG to come out massively to vote for the candidate of SDP”.
Security concerns in Anambra, Kaduna, others
There are concerns over the safety of voters in Anambra, Kaduna and other states where the daredevil unknown gunmen and bandits have been wrecking havoc.
The security situation in Anambra State took another turn for the worse recently with several people either killed or kidnapped for ransom.
A security source told Only Big Story on Friday that the election may be marred by apathy in Anambra State following fear of attacks.
According to him, “people are likely not to turn up much for election due to stories of gunmen attacks.
“No matter the presence of police and army, the gunmen will still strike if they mean it. So many people may not participate in the election due to fear.
“That would pave the way for the ruling party to rig the election in their favour”, he said.
However, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun on Friday ordered the deployment of senior officers to oversee security operations and ensure a smooth and credible electoral process in all areas where the elections are scheduled to be conducted.
Senior officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police have been mobilized to support state commands in providing effective supervision.
In addition, personnel from the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department, and other tactical units have also been deployed.
