MID-TERM POLL: Democrats take control of US Congress
By KEMI KASUMU with International Agencies
Some watchers of global events as they unfold have called on local politicians to learn democratic lessons from the US, with one of them adding that, “Anyone in power, who decides to overstep his boundaries in a democracy, has a date with the people because the power in an election belongs to the people so those who are in Nigeria but trying to suppress opposition should know that the people are watching and will decide the 2027 winner by their votes.”
United States of America’s President Donald Trump has conceded defeat following a major setback for his Republican Party in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, which saw the opposition Democrats win control of both chambers of Congress.
The Democrats recorded significant victories in the Senate and House of Representatives, gaining seats in traditionally Republican strongholds and securing control of Congress for the remaining two years of Trump’s presidency.
According to results from votes counted so far, Democrats won seven additional Senate seats, while Republicans lost seven, leaving the Democrats with 53 seats against the Republicans’ 41.
Among the states where Democrats secured Senate victories were South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Iowa and Kansas, traditionally regarded as Republican strongholds.
In the House of Representatives, Democrats had secured 219 seats, while Republicans had won 126 seats based on the results available at the time of reporting.
Reacting to the outcome in an interview with Fox News, Trump acknowledged the Democrats’ performance, saying they “did a good job”.
“I’m a little surprised,” the president admitted.
In subsequent posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump indicated that he would offer his assessment of the election results and the factors responsible for the victories and defeats recorded by candidates.
“I’m going to become a political pundit, both good and bad, on the reasons these candidates won and lost!” he wrote.
However, Trump sought to distance himself from the electoral setback, insisting that his absence from the ballot was a significant factor.
“I wasn’t on the ballot, and if I was, we would have won in a landslide! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he added.
The election outcome represents a major political setback for the Republican administration, with Democratic control of Congress expected to reshape the political landscape in Washington during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
Some watchers of global events as they unfold have called on local politicians to learn democratic lessons from the US, with one of them adding that, “Anyone in power, who decides to overstep his boundaries in a democracy, has a date with the people because the power in an election belongs to the people so those who are in Nigeria but trying to suppress opposition should know that the people are watching and will decide the 2027 winner by their votes.”
