PDP wins Taraba Assembly Bye-election

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ajiya Samson Garba has emerged victorious in Saturday’s Takum 1 state constituency  by-election  into Taraba state House of Assembly.

The Bye-election was to fill the vacant seat of a former  member of the state House of Assembly, Hosea Ibi  who was kidnapped December 31, 2017 and murdered by his abductors in January.

Ajiya who cleared five of the six constituency’s ward polled a total vote of 10,725 to emerge winner, while candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC,  Atem Ansho polled a total vote of 3268, having claimed victory in one ward.

Announcing the final result, the returning officer of the  Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the bye-election, Dr Ayuba Daniel Kwada disclosed that nine political parties participated, while results from nine polling units in Chanchanji ward were cancelled due to irregularities.

According to him, “The total number of vote casted was 14,717; total number of valid votes was 14,337 while 380 votes were rejected.”

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Reacting to the election result, Governor Darius ishaku described the process as a litmus test for the 2019 general elections in the state.

He noted that the victory margin could have been wider if all those that turned out to exercise their franchise had their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs.

Ishaku who commended the peaceful atmosphere of the election however reechoed the need for state police, saying “the country would have more efficient and pronounced security apparatus if it adopts state policing just like other civilised countries.”

APC kicks

The candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Atem Ansho has rejected the outcome of Takum 1 state assembly bye-election.

He alleged that collation were still on going in some wards when electoral officers were mobilised to leave some polling unit.

Ansho however said he is in talks with his lawyers for advice on the next course of action.

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