The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won one constituency in the recently concluded bye-elections in Shira and Zaki Local Government Areas of Bauchi State. The elections, which took place on Saturday, September 24, 2026, saw the APC secure the Disina constituency with 5,846 votes against the Action Democratic Party's (APM) 5,225 votes.
The APC's victory in Disina is significant, considering the party faced a strong APM candidate who had previously served as a local government chairman. The party's performance in Sakwa Constituency, however, was not as impressive, with APM securing 8,515 votes against APC's 3,771 votes.
According to Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani, a member of the APC, the party's victory in one of the two constituencies is a result that deserves recognition and commendation. He noted that the APC entered the election with significant challenges, including internal divisions and strong grassroots influence from the ruling party.
The bye-election results have been attributed to various factors, including the role of internal conflicts within the APC and the influence of Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, who is an aspirant for the Bauchi North Senatorial District seat. The APC's performance has been described as a mixed bag, with some party members calling for sober reflection, reconciliation, and strategic reorganization.
Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani emphasized the need for the APC to examine its internal weaknesses, strengthen its grassroots structures, and prepare more effectively for future elections. He noted that addressing internal differences, strengthening consultation, and putting the broader interest of the party above individual considerations will be critical to improving future electoral performance.
The figures from the bye-elections tell an important story, with the APC's victory in Disina and the APM's victory in Sakwa demonstrating that incumbency and political structures do not automatically guarantee victory. The results have also highlighted the need for the APC to work hard to weaken the APM's strong performance in certain areas.
The APC's performance in the bye-elections has been described as a win-win situation, with the party securing one constituency and gaining valuable insights into its internal weaknesses. The party is expected to use these insights to reorganize and prepare for future elections, with Tijjani emphasizing the need for the party to act fast to make necessary amendments and unite its house.
Key points
- APC won one constituency in the bye-elections with 5,846 votes.
- APM won the Sakwa constituency with 8,515 votes.
- The bye-elections highlighted the need for the APC to address internal weaknesses and strengthen its grassroots structures.
