(DDM) – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned Saturday’s by-elections, describing the process as violent, flawed, and deeply compromised under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the polls were marked by intimidation, vote buying, violence, and outright manipulation.
DDM gathered that despite recent endorsements by top opposition leaders, the ADC failed to secure a single seat or record any meaningful result in the by-elections conducted across 13 states and 16 constituencies.
The party insisted that its poor showing was not a reflection of its strength within the opposition coalition but rather evidence of how far Nigeria’s electoral process has decayed.
“When elections are marred by widespread violence, when ballots are openly and brazenly exchanged for money, when opposition candidates are excluded without explanation, and when the very institutions entrusted to safeguard democracy become complicit, then the vote of the ordinary Nigerian ceases to have meaning,” the statement read.
Reports from across the country revealed troubling incidents that supported the party’s claims. Nearly 300 armed thugs were arrested on election day.
In one state, a suspected vote buyer was allegedly caught with ₦25.9 million in cash meant to induce voters.
In another constituency, electoral officers themselves were implicated in bribery schemes.
Observers told DDM that ballot box snatching and the intimidation of voters at polling stations were widespread, with little intervention from security agencies.
The ADC further slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its recurring failures, particularly with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which reportedly malfunctioned in several polling units.
According to the party, INEC’s handling of the polls has eroded public trust.
“Nigerians deserve elections that command the implicit confidence of every citizen and the respect of the rest of the world. INEC must not be allowed to turn excuses into a code of conduct,” the ADC warned.
The by-elections, which were meant to fill vacant seats in both federal and state legislatures, ended largely in favour of the APC, further consolidating its dominance despite the controversies.
Political analysts told DDM that the opposition’s dismal performance underscores the uphill battle it faces in challenging APC’s hold ahead of 2027.
The ADC’s statement is the latest in a series of condemnations by opposition parties, many of which have called for electoral reforms and greater accountability from INEC.
As the dust settles, questions remain about whether the rising opposition coalition can withstand the challenges of Nigeria’s toxic electoral environment or whether, as critics suggest, flawed elections have become a permanent feature of the nation’s democracy.
🚨 Follow DDM WhatsApp channel Now!
Get breaking news, hot gist, and updates FIRST!
*📲 Click to join 👇* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vajkwdc4dTnFHl19vW3g
*Apply at the link below and Start Your Tech Journey:*
👇🏽
