Federal Constituency By-Elections: Results and Analysis of Three Key Districts
In early 2022, Nigeria held a series of critical by-elections to fill vacancies in the Federal House of Representatives. These elections were marked by the introduction of new electoral technologies and high-stakes political maneuvering between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The process was overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which implemented the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)—a technological tool designed to verify voters' identities and reduce fraud—and required polling unit workers to upload results directly to the INEC portal.
Key Facts
- Technological Shift: INEC utilized BVAS technology across these by-elections to enhance transparency.
- APC Gains: The APC successfully flipped seats in both the Akure North/Akure South and Ogoja/Yala constituencies.
- Judicial Intervention: In Jos North/Bassa, a court decision eventually overturned the initial result, awarding the seat to the PRP.
- Low Turnout: Voter turnout remained relatively low across the three districts, ranging from approximately 14% to 24%.
Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency
The by-election in Akure North/Akure South was triggered by the death of the incumbent, Adedayo Omolafe (PDP), on August 16, 2021. The race became a battle for a traditional PDP stronghold.
Primary Elections
The APC held an indirect primary on February 1, where Mayokun Lawson-Alade secured the nomination with 43.63% of the vote. The PDP followed on February 3, nominating Olumuyiwa Adu, who won 42.24% of the primary votes.
General Election Results
Despite the area being a PDP stronghold, Mayokun Lawson-Alade (APC) won the seat with 51.36% of the vote, defeating Olumuyiwa Adu (PDP), who received 47.13%. The election saw a turnout of 14.41%. While the APC attributed the win to governing performance and strategy, PDP sources pointed to poor campaigning.
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Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency
This vacancy occurred following the death of incumbent Haruna Maitala (APC) in a car crash on April 2, 2021. This election was characterized by internal party strife and subsequent legal battles.
Primary Elections and Controversy
The APC primary was fraught with tension, initially declared inconclusive after a tie between Joseph Abbey Aku and Suleiman Yahaya Kwande. Following a rerun primary, Joseph Abbey Aku emerged as the nominee with 91.62% of the vote. Meanwhile, the PDP nominated Musa Agah Avia, who won 54.29% of the party's primary votes.
General Election and Court Ruling
The general election featured a three-way race between the APC, PDP, and the People's Redemption Party (PRP). Initially, Musa Agah Avia (PDP) was declared the winner with 37.69% of the vote. However, the PRP challenged this result. On September 2, a Tribunal sacked Avia due to evidence of overvoting, declaring Muhammad Adamu Alkali (PRP) the victor. This ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal, and Alkali was sworn in on November 14, 2022.
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Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency
The by-election in Ogoja/Yala was necessitated by the resignation of Agom Jarigbe (PDP) on September 22, 2021, after his election as Senator for Cross River North.
Primary Elections
The APC selected Jude Ngaji as a consensus nominee, though this process faced accusations of imposition. The PDP held a primary on February 3, where Mike Usibe won decisively with 78.63% of the vote.
General Election and Security Issues
The election took place in a volatile atmosphere. Reports included allegations of vote manipulation, the assault of a voter, and an attack by gunmen on Senator Jarigbe's convoy, during which several result sheets were stolen. Despite these disruptions, Jude Ngaji (APC) was declared the winner with 51.97% of the vote, compared to Mike Usibe's (PDP) 46.98%. The PDP subsequently rejected the results.
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Election Summary Table
| Constituency | Incumbent Party | Winning Candidate | Winning Party | Outcome | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akure North/Akure South | PDP | Mayokun Lawson-Alade | APC | APC Gain | 14.41% |
| Jos North/Bassa | APC | Muhammad Adamu Alkali | PRP | PRP Gain | 18.07% |
| Ogoja/Yala | PDP | Jude Ngaji | APC | APC Gain | 23.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BVAS and how was it used in these elections?
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is a technology used by INEC to verify voters and ensure that results are uploaded directly from polling units to the central portal to increase transparency.
Why did the result for Jos North/Bassa change after the election?
Although Musa Agah Avia (PDP) initially won, a Tribunal and later the Court of Appeal declared Muhammad Adamu Alkali (PRP) the winner due to evidence of overvoting and improprieties in the PDP nomination process.
Which party saw the most gains across these three by-elections?
The All Progressives Congress (APC) saw the most gains, winning seats in both the Akure North/Akure South and Ogoja/Yala constituencies.
What caused the vacancy in the Ogoja/Yala constituency?
The vacancy was created when the incumbent, Agom Jarigbe of the PDP, resigned on September 22, 2021, to take a seat as Senator for Cross River North.
Were there any security concerns during the Ogoja/Yala election?
Yes, the election was marked by reports of voter assault, allegations of ballot box theft, and an attack by gunmen on Senator Jarigbe's convoy.