Eko Hot Blog reports that the former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, emerges victorious in the Saturday bye-election for the Makera state Constituency, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Liman, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, secured the win with 18,068 votes, surpassing Solomon Katuka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 17,404, while Usman Yakuti of the Labour Party received 3,709 votes.
The victory was confirmed across five polling units in the Makera constituency, including Kakuri Hausa, Television, Kakuri Gwari, Barnawa 1, and 2.
In another result, Nura Abubakar of the PDP was declared the winner of the election for the Kudan State constituency in Kaduna State, amassing a total of 24,178 votes.
Abbas Faisal, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, secured 22,438 votes, and the Labour Party candidate, Suleiman Umar, came third with 1,491 votes.
Hussein Jallo of the PDP also clinched victory in the Igabi Federal Constituency bye-election with 47,313 votes, defeating Zyyad Ibrahim of the APC, who polled 43,915 votes.
In the Chikun state constituency, the INEC declared the APC’s candidate, David Jesse, the winner with 18,566 votes, overcoming Maria Dogo, who polled 10,903 votes.
The Labour Party candidate, Solomon Adamu, scored 3,285 votes to finish third.
The results were announced by the returning officer, Prof. Isah Bayero of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
As of the filing of this report, more results were anticipated to be announced by INEC in the state.
The bye-election witnessed challenges such as low turnout, instances of vote-buying, and ballot box snatching.
Some areas, including Sabon-Tasha, Narayi, and Maraban Rido in Chikun LGA, experienced low voter turnout, while allegations of vote-buying surfaced, notably at the Barnawa Market Polling Unit, where votes were reportedly sold for amounts ranging between N10,000 and N15,000.
Veronica Okuna, a Peoples Democratic Party agent, expressed concern over alleged payments made by APC agents to voters.
She remarked, “I wish operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are here to see things for themselves. This our democracy is full of corruption. Imagine a vote being bought for N15,000 per voter. This is not good for the nation’s democracy.”
A counterstatement came from Aminu Yakubu, an APC agent, who refuted the allegation, suggesting that the PDP might be involved in distributing money to voters.
He stated, “Maybe it’s the PDP that are giving out money for voters to vote for them. They are drowning as a party that would hold on to anything to pull the APC down.”
The bye-election marked a crucial political event with its share of controversies and diverse outcomes across various constituencies in Kaduna State.
Click to watch our video of the week
Army Raids IPOB armed wing Two Security Agents killed Troops recover weapons Troops of the…
Kidnapped Anglican Bishop and Family Gain Freedom Head Of Amotekun Confirms Release Victims Rushed to…
Nigeria vs Ghana At Remi Stadium Super Eagles B Secure CHAN qualification Ticket After 6…