PDP Wins Sokoto By-election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Abubakar Adamu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Kebbe state constituency seat in the bye-election conducted for Sokoto State House of Assembly.

INEC Head of Voter Education and Public Affairs in the state, Muhammad Musa  told journalists that seven candidates participated in the March 14, bye-election.

Musa said Adamu scored 15, 663 votes and emerged winner with the highest lawful votes, thereby accordingly returned by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Yahaya Tanko-Baba.

Among the candidates who contested for the election were Abubakar Umaru of All Progressive Congress (APC), who polled 254 votes; Adamu Musa of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APG), 63 votes, and Shehu Magaji of APP with 15 votes.

Others were Abdulrahman Chindo who scored 65 votes; A'isha Malami of ADC got 21 votes, and Suwaiba Labbo of A party got four votes.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Sokoto State, Mr. Sadiq Abubakar, had earlier said the election was held in 113 polling units, and that no fewer than 153,130 registered voters are expected to cast their votes.

The REC said he was satisfied with arrangements, and commended security agencies and other stakeholders on the exercise.

It was gathered that the seat for the constituency became vacant following the death of the member representing the constituency, Isah Harisu-Kebbe, which prompted the conduct of the bye-election.

It has been recalled that the APC candidate, Abubakar Umaru, had on March 3 withdrawn from the contest while the party fielded another candidate, the  but electoral body said Umaru remained the APC candidate as legal windows of withdrawal or substitution had elapsed.