By Atoyebi Nike
Political momentum is building across Nigeria as parties gear up for crucial by-elections scheduled for August 16. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the polls to fill vacant seats in both the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
The elections will take place in Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, along with Ovia South West/Ovia South East in Edo, Babura/Garki in Jigawa, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna, Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North in Ogun, and the Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State.
In Edo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) have stepped up their campaigns. APC candidate Omosede Igbinedion is seeking to replace Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, who vacated the Ovia seat. Idahosa expressed optimism about a sweeping APC victory, attributing their chances to the developmental work of Governor Monday Okpebholo and the popularity of Igbinedion.
Labour Party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, called on voters in Edo Central to back LP candidate Paul Okojie, whom he described as a vibrant and capable leader ready to drive meaningful change. Both candidates pledged to focus on constituency development and criticized their opponents for running self-serving campaigns.
In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde led a campaign rally for PDP candidate Folajimi Oyekunle at Bodija International Market in Ibadan. Makinde said the election would reaffirm Oyo’s position as a PDP stronghold and praised Oyekunle’s track record as a former member of the state assembly and Deputy Chief of Staff.
Other PDP leaders, including former deputy governor Hazeem Gbolarumi, ex-council chairman Ademola Omotosho, lawmaker Gabriel Babajide, and former federal lawmaker Dada Awoleye, threw their weight behind Oyekunle’s candidacy.
In Ogun, the PDP has denied endorsing the APC candidate for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency. The seat was declared vacant after the death of APC lawmaker Adewunmi Onanuga earlier this year. PDP spokesman Kayode Adebayo dismissed the endorsement rumour as false and misleading.
He clarified that although the PDP had supported President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 for reasons related to power rotation, the party remains fully committed to its own candidate, Bolarinwa Oluwole, for the by-election. He warned the APC against misrepresenting the PDP’s national stance as a local alliance.
According to Adebayo, the people of Remoland are ready to vote for the PDP on August 16 and will not be influenced by what he described as propaganda.
