The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the Certificate of Return to Mr. Mathew Dogara Daje, winner of the Niger State House of Assembly by-election for Munya Constituency. The ceremony took place in Minna, the state capital.
Presenting the certificate, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Yusha’u Garki, advised the new lawmaker not to see himself as a representative of only one political party. He urged him to embrace his role as a representative of all the people of Munya Constituency, irrespective of party affiliations.
Garki also called on Daje to take time to investigate and understand the challenges facing his constituents in order to provide lasting solutions. He noted that only by doing so would the lawmaker be able to deliver quality and responsible representation at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor on Political and Strategy, Malam Mohammed Nma Kolo, described the Munya by-election as one of the freest and fairest polls he had ever witnessed. He added that the victory of Dogara Daje was not only a success for the All Progressives Congress (APC) but also a collective win for the people of Niger State who view themselves as one family.
Kolo further emphasized that the outcome of the election reflects the purposeful leadership of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, whose efforts to transform the state are gaining recognition. He maintained that the victory was a testament to the governor’s commitment to inclusive governance and development.
The governor’s aide also appreciated INEC, the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), security agencies, and other critical stakeholders for their maturity and dedication in ensuring a peaceful and hitch-free election. He called for continued collaboration to strengthen democracy in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected lawmaker, Dogara Daje, expressed gratitude to Governor Bago for his leadership, to his mentor Mohammed Nma Kolo for his fatherly guidance, to INEC for providing a level playing field, and to security agencies, stakeholders, and voters for their support and perseverance. He pledged to initiate laws that would directly impact the lives of the people of Munya Constituency and Niger State at large.
Earlier, the Chairman of Niger State IPAC, Mohammed Bello Maikujeri, commended the transparency of the entire electoral process and expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the by-election, noting that it set a good example for future polls in the state.
Aliyu Lawal
