Why We Didn’t Perform Well in By-Elections — ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has explained why it failed to secure any legislative seat in the August 16 by-elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) victorious in 12 of the 16 contested seats, with APGA winning two, the PDP taking one in Oyo, and the NNPP one in Kano. The polls were conducted to fill seats left vacant by resignations and deaths after the 2023 general elections.

ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Wednesday, said the by-elections came too soon after the party’s leadership change and did not reflect its real strength. “We had just assumed leadership of the party when the by-elections were held. We didn’t even know most of the candidates. It’s unfair to judge the ADC by that result,” Abdullahi said.

He admitted that the ADC was not fully organised at the time but insisted that the party would be better positioned in future contests, particularly the 2027 general elections. “Our focus now is building a mass-based political movement that offers Nigerians a real alternative. When the time comes, voters will be able to ask themselves: Has the ruling party improved your life? If not, look to ADC.”

The party also alleged that the elections were tainted by irregularities, including vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, and technical failures with BVAS. It claimed the process was compromised by the ruling APC, a charge the governing party has denied.