The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mathew Dogara Daje, as winner of the by-election conducted in Munya Constituency yesterday.
Announcing the results INEC Returning Officer Prof Abdul karim Ambali Saka said Daje won the election with a margin of over 6,000 votes, thereby defeating his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sabo Sunday Adabyinlo.
The bye-election, was conducted to fill the vacant seat in the Niger State House of Assembly following the death of late Joseph Haruna Duza of the PDP, has been conducted peacefully, with high voters turnout in some polling units, while others witnessed low participation.
Accreditation and voting commenced at 8:30 a.m. in most locations, with voters arriving early to exercise their franchise. and voting officially closed at 3:30 p.m., though INEC officials ensured that all voters already in the queue at the time were allowed to cast their votes in line with electoral guidelines.
Security was visibly tight across Munya, as armed personnel were stationed at all polling units, with some units having more than 30 uniformed officers. The state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, had earlier assured residents of adequate security for the election.
While observers and residents commended the peaceful nature of the poll, however the PDP candidate, Sabo Sunday Adabyinlo, alleged that state resources were used to influence the election in favour of the APC, accusing the ruling party of vote buying and intimidation.
But in a swift reaction, Special Adviser to the Niger Governor, Political and Strategy, Mohammed Nma Kolo dismissed the claim saying that it was a convincing win for the APC candidate depicting the acceptability of APC led administration in the state.
Mohammed Nma Kolo stressed the need for politicians to always accept defeat in good faith and in the spirit of sportsmanship, as in every contest there must be a winner and a loser.
Speaking in an interview INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, in charge of Niger state Ahmed Yusha’u Garki described the entire exercise as a huge success.
Ahmed Yusha’u Garki also commended voters in Munya Local Government for exercising their franchise in a peaceful manner devoid of cious and confusion as well as applauded security agencies for providing effective security network in addition to critical stakeholders and INEC officials that have discharged their duties diligently and professionally.
In his acceptance remarks, winner of the By- election Mathew Dogara Daje of the APC expressed gratitude to Governor Umar Bago for his leadership and APC supporters across Munya Local Government for their overwhelming support during the election.
END ALIYU LAWAL.
