Parties in Final Push as Edo, Anambra, Oyo, Others Go to the Polls

With campaign time ending today, political parties are making last efforts to win voters ahead of Saturday’s by-elections in 13 states.

The elections will hold in Edo, Oyo, Ondo, Anambra, Kogi, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Zamfara, Adamawa, Nasarawa, and Jigawa.

Contests are hottest in Edo and Anambra, where Senate seats are up for grabs.

APC, PDP, LP, NNPP, ADC Step Up Rallies

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said rallies must end today. It will conduct polls for two Senate seats, five House of Representatives seats, and several state assembly seats.

The Anambra South seat became vacant after the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressives Party. Edo Central’s seat is open after Senator Monday Okpebholo resigned to become governor.

Five federal constituencies will also vote, including Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo) and Ibadan North (Oyo).

In Edo Central, Prince Joe Okojie (PDP), Joseph Ikpea (APC) and Sergius Ogun (ADC) are the main contenders. “The APC has the edge because we control the federal, state and local governments,” a party chieftain said.

Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa has led the Ovia campaign for APC’s Omosede Igbinedion, while PDP’s Asue Ighodalo campaigns for Okojie.

INEC says there are 719,504 registered voters in the seven Edo local governments for the by-election. About 101,617 voter cards are yet to be collected.

Anambra South: Tension Between APC, APGA

In Anambra South, APC’s Sir Azuka Okwuosa will face APGA’s Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu, LP’s Chief Chuma Nzeribe, and PDP’s Chief Chris Uba.

Supporters of late Senator Ubah’s ‘Ikemba’ Front accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s party of double-speak. “They ridicule President Tinubu in Igbo, then go to Abuja to praise him in English,” Sir Arinzechukwi Awogu said.

APGA’s media chief, Chiedu Obigwe, fired back: “APC chieftains in this state have no brains. APGA and President Tinubu have an inseparable bond.”

Ibadan North Deploys Over 2,000 Officials

In Ibadan North, Oyo State, INEC has deployed 2,062 polling officials. The seat became vacant after the death of Olaide Aderemi.

State REC Dr Adeniran Rahmon Tella said 272,196 voters are expected at 512 polling units. “We have configured 526 BVAS machines with 48 backups,” he added.

A peace accord was signed by candidates from ADC, APC, APGA, PDP, and ZLP at the INEC Collaboration Centre in Agodi, Ibadan.

Security, Zoning, and High Stakes in Other States

In Taraba’s Karim Lamido, Ali Kanda (PDP) and Abner Shittu (APC) are facing off in a constituency hit by recent insecurity.

In Kaduna, the Chikun/Kajuru race may tilt towards APC after Labour Party was excluded from the ballot. “Kajuru has waited long for zoning; this is our time,” APC’s Joseph Bagudu said.

In Kano’s Shanono/Bagwai, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin told voters: “Vote for APC in appreciation for Tinubu’s reforms.” The party promised ₦10 billion worth of rural roads if elected.

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