APC Lands Victories in Four out of Five Nigerian States During Off-Cycle Elections since President Tinubu’s Inauguration
In the spirit of democracy, Nigeria allows certain states to conduct their gubernatorial elections outside of the general election timeline in cases where unique circumstances arise. This article uncovers the origins of off-cycle elections and reviews recent poll outcomes.
What Constitutes Off-Cycle Elections?
Off-cycle elections refer to gubernatorial elections in Nigeria that take place at a time other than during the general election schedule. This occurs when states require special elections due to election tribunal rulings or legal disputes.
Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Osun, Ondo, Edo, and Ekiti were initially off-cycle electoral states, resulting from court proceedings that altered their election dates.
The Roots of Off-Cycle Elections
As Nigeria transitioned back to democracy in 1999, simultaneous elections took place across all states. Nevertheless, post-election disputes sparked tribunal rulings that nullified results in some states, leading to re-elections. This trend led to the establishment of off-cycle elections in several states, with notable examples including Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, and Imo.
Recent Elections in Nigeria
Since Tinubu’s inauguration, Nigeria has conducted gubernatorial elections in five states, all of which have been scrutinized for their outcome and impact on the political scene. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the recent outcomes:
Bayelsa State: Douye Diri secured the top spot with 175,196 votes for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whereas Timipre Sylva of the APC scored 110,108 votes.
Kogi State: Ahmed Ododo emerged victorious for APC with 446,237 votes, followed by Murtala Yakubu (SDP) with 259,052 votes. Dino Melaye (PDP) settled for third place with 46,362 votes.
Imo State: Hope Uzodinma retained the governorship seat for the APC with 540,308 votes, surpassing Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP who accumulated 71,503 votes. Athan Achonu of the Labour Party achieved 64,081 votes.
Edo State (2024): Monday Okpebholo secured the majority vote for APC with 291,667 votes. Asue Ighodalo of the PPD received 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata secured 22,763 votes for the Labour Party.
