The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared winners in Saturday’s bye-elections conducted across various state constituencies, federal constituencies and senatorial districts in Lagos, Cross River, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Ondo, and Yobe States.
The results announced by INEC showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in some constituencies while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in others. The Labour Party did not record any victory.
Lagos
INEC declared the APC candidate, Fuad Laguda, winner of the Surulere Federal Constituency 1 bye-election.
Declaring the results, the Returning Officer for the bye-election, Prof Simeon Adebayo, said the APC candidate polled a total of 11, 203 votes.
Laguda, a former APC chairman in Surulere Local Government Area, replaces Femi Gbajabiamila who was appointed Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu mid-2023.
Cross River
The PDP candidate, Honourable Pius Ashakia, won the Obanliku State Constituency rerun election in Cross River State.
The INEC Returning Officer, Dr Blessing Anyalebechi, who declared Ashakia the winner of the election, said the candidate polled a total of 10,587 votes to defeat his main contender, Mr Sunday Achunekang of the APC, who scored a total of 10,427 votes.
Kaduna
Former speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman of the APC, was declared the winner of Saturday’s bye-election for the Makera State Constituency.
Liman scored a total of 18, 068 votes to defeat his main contender, Solomon Katuka of the PDP, who polled 17,404 votes to come second. Usman Yakuti of the Labour Party got 3,709 votes to finish third.
According to INEC, the election was conducted in five polling units in the Makera constituency – Kakuri Hausa, Television, Kakuri Gwari, Barnwa 1 and Barnwa 2 – to determine the winner.
Similarly, Nura Abubakar of the PDP was declared the winner of the election for Kudan State Constituency in Kaduna State after he polled a total of 24,178 votes to defeat the candidate of the APC, Abbas Faisal, who polled 22,438 votes, while Suleiman Umar of Labour Party got 1,491 votes to come third.
Also, Hussein Jallo of the PDP was returned elected for the Igabi Federal Constituency bye-election after he scored a total of 47,313 votes to defeat Zayyad Ibrahim of the APC, who got 43,915 votes.
In the Chikun constituency, the Returning Officer, Professor Isah Bayero of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, declared David Jesse of the APC as the winner with 18,566 votes while his closest rival, Maria Dogo of the PDP, scored 10,903 votes.
The Labour Party candidate, Solomon Adamu, scored 3,285 votes to come a distant third
Ebonyi
The candidate of the APC, Professor Anthony Ani, was declared winner of the Ebonyi South Senatorial District bye-election conducted on Saturday.
The Returning Officer for the Ebonyi South senatorial bye-election, Uchechukwu Eze, made the declaration in the early hours of Sunday at Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state, which serves as the senatorial district headquarters.
He stated that Ani, having secured the highest number of votes in the just concluded bye-election, is declared winner and returned as Senator-elect.
Professor Ani polled a total of 46,270 votes to defeat Linus Okorie of Labour Party (LP), who scored 2,710 votes, Ifeanyi Eleje of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who got 3,513 votes, and Silas Onu of the PDP, who polled 2,783 votes.
Sokoto
The candidate of the PDP, Umar Yusuf, was declared the winner of the rerun election for the Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency in Sokoto State.
The INEC Returning Officer for the Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency rerun election, Professor Abubakar Abdullahi-Bagudo, declared Yusuf winner of the election having certified the requirement of the law.
Though Yusuf scored less votes (2,249) in the rerun election compared to the APC candidate, who scored 3,741 votes, he won the election having scored a cumulative of 26,829 votes as against the APC candidate’s total votes of 26,113.
Bauchi
PDP won in all the state constituency seats in Saturday’s rerun election in Bauchi State.
Jamilu Dahiru of the PDP secured victory in the Bauchi Central Constituency rerun election with a total of 45,240 votes, defeating his closest rival, Aliyu Abdullahi of the APC, who received 41,266 votes.
Abubakar Suleiman of the PDP was officially declared the winner of the Ningi Central Constituency rerun election by INEC, after obtaining a total of 11,785 votes and surpassing his major contender, Khalid Ningi of the APC, who received 10,339 votes.
Also, INEC announced Nasiru Ala of the PDP as the winner of the Madara/Chinade rerun election with a cumulative vote of 13,920, defeating Dantata Ali of the APC, who obtained 9,710 votes.
In the Zungur/Galambi Constituency rerun, Sa’idu Ahmed of the PDP emerged victorious with a total of 26,821 votes, defeating his major opponent Ibrahim Yuguda of the APC, who received 24,376 votes.
Ondo
The candidate of APC, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, was declared winner of the bye-election in Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency in Ondo State.
The Returning Officer in the election, Prof. Johnson Fasinmirin of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), announced the results at the collation centre at Victory College, Ikare-Akoko.
Fasinmirin said that the APC candidate polled 35,504 votes to defeat his main opponent, Bada Olalekan of the PDP, who scored 15,328 votes.
According to him, total votes cast were 51,896; total valid votes were 51,341; while 555 votes were rejected.
Yobe
The candidate of the APC, Musa Mustapha, was declared winner of the Yobe East Senatorial bye-election which was held Saturday.
The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Ibrahim Ahmed Jajere, declared in Damaturu on Sunday that Mustapha scored 68,778 to defeat Aji Kolomi of the PPDP, who got 18,878 votes.
“Hon. Musa Mustapha of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having scored the highest number of votes cast and having satisfied the requirements of the law, has been declared the winner of the Yobe East Bye-Election,” Prof. Jajere said.
Imo moving forward at 48, says Uzodimma
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has said that the state is moving forward at 48, and that his administration is working tirelessly to fulfil the dreams of the visionary founding fathers who laid the foundation of the state.
Imo State was created on February 3, 1976 by the late military Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, who named the late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu as the maiden Military Administrator of the brand new state.
The seventh leader of Imo State since its creation, Governor Uzodimma, said in a statement he wrote on his social media platform that at “48 Imo State is moving forward”.
The governor reflected on the visionary leaders who laid the foundation of Imo State with objectives centring on unity, progress and shared prosperity.
“On this joyous occasion of our beloved State’s 48th anniversary, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every citizen who has contributed to the growth and prosperity of Imo State. As we celebrate this milestone, let us reflect on our Richmond history, forged by visionary leaders who laid the foundation for our great state with objectives centered on unity, progress and shared prosperity,” Governor Uzodimma wrote.
“Our journey began with the dream of building a State that embodies the spirit of brotherhood and resilience. Today, we stand united, showcasing our resourcefulness, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the collective progress of our dear State and our great nation.
“In commemorating our anniversary, let us take pride in the achievements of our fellow citizens, who exemplifies the dedication and excellence that characterize Imolites. Their contributions on various fronts reflect the spirit of Imo and inspire us all to reach greater heights.
“I commend our active participation in the present-day governance of Imo State, a testament to the success of our all-inclusive Government. Your dedication fuels our efforts to create an environment of sustained development, ensuring the security of lives and properties, and paving the way for prosperity for all.
“At 48, Imo is moving forward and I assure you that my administration is tirelessly working to fulfill our promises. Let us stand united, build on our achievements and forge ahead in transforming Imo into the State of our dreams. Together, we can create a legacy that future generations will be proud of.
“Happy anniversary, Imo State! Forward ever, backward never,” he wrote.
