PDP
The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday in Taraba,
declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Garba
Ajiya, as the winner of Saturday’s bye-election into Takum 1 State
Constituency, according to a Punch report.
Ajiya defeated his opponent by securing 10,725 votes against the
paltry 3,268 votes by his closest opponent and the candidate of the All
Progressives Congress, Hon. Atem Ansho.
Returning Officer for the election and Senior Lecturer with the
Federal University Wukari, Dr. Ayuba Daniel, announced the result at the
collation centre in Takum.
Flanked by the National Commissioner in charge of Borno Adamawa and
Taraba, Ahmed Tijani, Taraba State Resident Electoral Commissioner,
Baba Abba Yusuf and his Yobe State counterpart, Ahmad Makama, the
returning officer said 73,183 voters registered in the constituency, but
only 16,671 voters accredited and voted in the election.
Earlier, Taraba State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baba Abba
Yusuf, in a remark, expressed happiness over the successful conduct of
the election.
He commended the security agencies, Corps Members, party stakeholders and electorates for the peaceful conduct of the election.
Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku, while reacting to the election,
congratulated the PDP candidate for his victory at the poll and
commended INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the
election.
The Governor who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on
Public Affairs, Hon. Emmanuel Bello, described the victory of his party
as ‘victory for democracy.’
Ishaku called on the losers to accept the outcome of the result in good faith and for the winner to be magnanimous in victory.
State Secretary of the APC, Stephen Othaniel, said APC was
intimidated in the election which he said was marred by ballot box
snatching and vote buying.
“We are still studying the outcome of the election and we will come out with our position as party soon.
“But in summary, there was voter apathy, vote buying and
intimidation of voters by PDP stewarts which is very bad for our
democracy,” he said.
The seat of Takum 1 State Constituency became vacant following the
murder of the former member representing the constituency, Hon. Hosea
Ibi.
Hosea Ibi was abducted late last year in his home town Takum and was found dead after 15 days.