The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday declared Dr. Shem Zagbayi of the Peoples Democratic Party winner of the Niger-East senatorial by-election.
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Wole Morenikeji, who announced the result said Zagbayi scored 92,056 votes to defeat David Umaru of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 87, 405 votes.
Isa Bello of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Mr. Abdulahi Diko of the Social Democratic Party scored 2, 185 and 419 votes respectively. Continue..
Morenikeji said the total number of registered voters is 149, 851 and total number of accredited voters who participated in the election stands at 205, 765.
He said total number of valid votes is 182, 137, number of rejected votes 8,042 and total number of votes cast during the exercise is 190, 179.
He said, “The election was contested, that the candidates received the following votes; David Umaru of the APC 87, 405, Isa Bello of APGA, 2, 185 votes, Dr. Shem Zagbayi of the PDP scored 92,056 votes and Abdulahi Diko of the SDP scored 419 votes.
“That Dr. Shem Zagbayi of the PDP, having certified the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner. And is returned elected, signed by myself the returning officer.”
Governor of Niger State, Babagida Aliyu, dedicated the victory of the PDP to the people of the state.
Aliyu, who made this known at a state broadcast in Minna, said Zagbayi’s victory was a reflection of the confidence the people have in the party. He expressed satisfaction over the conduct and outcome of the election stating that despite the use of thugs, a level-playing field was the major characteristic of the entire process.
However the APC has rejected the result of the election. The spokesman for the party in the state, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, said that the result announced by INEC was unacceptable to the party.
He said, “The party is currently studying the result and will make its position known, but for now the result is unacceptable. We have yet to take a decision on the outcome of the by-election, all I know for now is that the result announced by INEC is not acceptable and in due course the official position of the party will be announced.
“The next line of action on the election will be taken after consultations at the state level. We are also in touch with the national headquarters of the party and our position will be made known.”
The APC publicity secretary wondered what moral right Governor Aliyu had to say that the victory for PDP was a reflection of the confidence the people have in the party when he knew that the conduct of the election contravened the Electoral Act.
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