Governors from the Peoples Democratic Governors Forum have criticised last week’s nationwide bye-elections, alleging excessive military presence led to widespread irregularities. The governors made this allegation in the communique issued at the weekend after its 2025/7TH forum, which took place at the Government House of Zamfara State and was attended by seven governors of the
Governors from the Peoples Democratic Governors Forum have criticised last week’s nationwide bye-elections, alleging excessive military presence led to widespread irregularities.
The governors made this allegation in the communique issued at the weekend after its 2025/7TH forum, which took place at the Government House of Zamfara State and was attended by seven governors of the party, namely Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Bauchi State) , Dr. Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State), Dr. Agbu Kefas (Taraba State), Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State), State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo State), Senator Douye Diri (Governor, Bayelsa State), and Sen. Ademola Adeleke (Governor, Osun State), saying the presence of the military during the bye-elections, which took place in the 12 states of the federation, was welcomed by vote buying and violence.
On August 16, 2025, INEC conducted bye-elections in 16 federal and state constituencies and senatorial districts across 12 states to fill vacancies resulting from the resignations or deaths of assembly members.
The affected states were Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara. The polls included two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo, five federal constituencies across Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo, and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) won 12 out of 16 constituencies. The PDP won two seats, while APGA and NNPP each secured one seat.
Independent observers reported that, like the 2023 general elections, some constituencies experienced discrepancies during the polls, while others had a peaceful process.
Yiaga Africa stated that Nigeria should focus on building trust in its electoral system, not just holding “relatively peaceful” elections.
The organisation stated that the election was generally peaceful, with the exception of certain constituencies in some states where incidents involving disruption at polling units were reported. It emphasised the importance of progressing from a relatively peaceful process towards one that can build trust in the system.
Similarly, PDP governors stated that they were dissatisfied with the election due to security agencies intimidating voters at several polling units.
“The Forum condemns the over-militarisation of last Saturday’s bye elections, characterised by widespread irregularities, vote buying and violence and calls on Nigerians to be more circumspect in protecting their votes.
“The Forum reaffirms its commitment to rescuing our dear country, Nigeria and Nigerians from the divisive governance style of the APC, whose policies have continued to cause more hardship and misery on the people.
“The Forum expresses profound gratitude to members and supporters of the PDP nationwide for their steadfast loyalty in the face of serious intimidation and untold anti-democratic actions of the APC-led Federal Government in the last bye-election.
“The Forum urges members and supporters of our Great Party, as well as the entire citizenry, to hold fast to the vision and principles of the PDP, in spite of the growing intimidation of the opposition by the government in power. This sad situation should only be seen as the sign of the desperation of a political party with no agenda, no vision and doomed to face inevitable rejection by the masses,” the communique partly read.
Besides electoral concerns, the forum also condemned recent insecurity in northern states such as Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Benue, urging the federal government to be more proactive and reform the country’s security apparatus.
