By-elections held on Saturday in Dawakin Kudu State Constituency, Kano State and Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Gombe State. Both recorded low voter turnout. Both were largely peaceful. INEC officials arrived at most polling units before 8:00 am. Election materials were available on time.
By-elections in Nigeria rarely attract mass turnout. They fill vacant seats caused by death, resignation or defection. Voters see them as low-stakes. In 2023, by-elections in several states recorded turnout below 20%. In 2024, similar patterns held. The Dawakin Kudu and Gombe contests fit the pattern. Low turnout does not mean low stakes for parties. The seats matter for legislative arithmetic. They do not mobilise the electorate.
In Dawakin Kudu, six parties fielded candidates: ADP, APP, APC, LP, PDP and PRP. Correspondents monitored units at Dawaki and Kofar Yamma wards. Voting went smoothly. Voters conducted themselves peacefully. Mustapha Abdullahi described it as one of the most peaceful elections in the area in recent times. He attributed low turnout to the nature of by-elections. Aisha Hamisu said she voted for her preferred candidate and hoped he would fulfil his promises.
Kano police restricted movement from 12:00 am to 5:00 pm. Only essential workers with identification were allowed to move. VIP escorts were barred from polling units. Quasi-security outfits were excluded. Vote-buying and canvassing near polling units were banned.
In Gombe, turnout was low in the metropolis, Funakaye and Kwami. Presiding Officer Princess Ayuba said officials arrived at Doma Area Court PU at 7:00 am. Voting began at 8:50 am. Some units saw higher female turnout. Security agencies, including police and NSCDC, manned polling units. People went about normal business.
Winners: INEC, which conducted peaceful polls. Security agencies, which maintained order. Candidates who mobilised their bases. Female voters, who turned out in some units. Losers: Democracy, which suffers when turnout is low. Parties, which struggle to claim mandates. Voters who stayed home, whose interests are decided by others. The seats, which gain representatives with thin mandates. Taxpayers, who fund elections few participate in.
Bottom Line: Two by-elections, peaceful, low turnout. INEC did its job. The parties did theirs. The voters did not show up. That is the pattern. Until by-elections matter to voters, they will remain quiet exercises in filling seats.