Politics
By-Elections: APC Tightens Hold on Kaduna, Wins Federal and State Assembly Seats
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tightened its hold on Kaduna State politics after emerging victorious in the weekend’s by-elections for both federal and state constituencies.
In the keenly contested Chikun–Kajuru Federal Constituency, APC’s Felix Bagudu emerged winner with 34,580 votes, leaving his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival far behind with 11,491 votes.
The announcement was made by the Returning Officer, Prof. Abubakar Mohammed Jumare, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Kujama on Sunday.
“That Joseph, Felix Bagudu of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Jumare declared.
READ MORE: Tambuwal Storms Sokoto, Vows To Unseat Tinubu, APC In 2027
He further commended the peaceful conduct of the process, stating, “We appreciate the cooperation of security agencies, party agents, and voters. The process was transparent, and the results reflect the will of the people.”
The victory sparked widespread celebration among APC supporters across Kujama and parts of Kaduna metropolis, with many describing it as a well-earned triumph.
In addition to the federal seat, the APC also swept two Kaduna State House of Assembly constituencies.
In Zaria Kewaye, the Returning Officer, Prof. Balarabe Abdullahi, declared APC’s Isa Haruna Ihamo the winner with 26,613 votes, while the Social Democratic Party’s Nuhu Sada Abdullahi managed 5,721 votes, and PDP’s Mamuda Abdullahi Wappa finished third with 5,331.
Similarly, in Basawa constituency, APC’s candidate secured 10,926 votes, defeating the PDP flagbearer, who got 5,499, according to the Returning Officer, Prof. Nasiru Rabiu.
Reacting to the landslide victories, Kaduna APC Secretary, Yahaya Baba-Pate, attributed the outcome to the party’s consistent engagement with the electorate.
“Our candidate in Chikun–Kajuru worked tirelessly, going door-to-door to engage the electorate. The people rewarded him with overwhelming votes. The same thing happened in Zaria Kewaye and Basawa. This victory is for democracy, and it shows the people trust the APC to deliver,” he said
Baba-Pate also brushed aside opposition allegations of electoral malpractice.
“The figures speak for themselves. You can’t rig where you are not popular. The APC is deeply rooted in Kaduna, and these results confirm it,” he said.
The outcome further cements APC’s political dominance in Kaduna, particularly in the Zaria zone, where opposition parties had anticipated a stronger challenge.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
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The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
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According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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