Niger Bye-election: APC in early lead, Gov Babagida forgets voter card in Abuja

Mr. David Umaru, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in yesterday’s bye-election in the Niger East Senatorial District  shot into early lead as  results began trickling in.

Results from Bosso, Chanchaga, Muyan, Rafi and Shiroro local government areas put the APC standard bearer ahead of  former deputy  governor of the state and PDP candidate,Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu,and Mr. I. M Bello of All Progressives Grand Allaince (APGA).

Umaru was also ahead in  Suleja, Gurara, Tafa and Paikoro local government areas.
The election, was nearly marred by the morning shower which kept many voters indoors.

Minna, the state capital went agog last night as soon as the results began circulating.

Youths went round the town jubilating.



Reports from the nine local government areas where the election held indicated that the exercise was peaceful and devoid of violent activities.

But two persons were arrested in Tunga Barko polling Unit of Maikujeri ward in Rafi local government area for attempting to snatch ballot boxes.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations in charge of ‘B’ zone, Mr. Sotonye Wakama confirmed the arrest and said that the case is being investigated.

Speaking shortly after casting his vote, the APC Senatorial candidate, Barrister David Umaru commended the Independent National Electoral Comýmission (INEC) for the peaceful and orderly way the election was conducted.

“I am impressed with what INEC have done. It is more peaceful and organised and it shows the determination of INEC officials to get it right.”

Governor Babangida Aliyu could not vote in the election  as he forgot his voters card in Abuja.
He said this at the Umaru Musa Polling Unit in Minna, adding that, he would abide by the rule which states that one cannot vote without having a voter card.

“I forgot my voter card in Abuja, which was human error, but I must commend those that came out to vote,” he said.

The senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Sen. Awaisu Kuta.

Meanwhile, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State did not vote in the Niger East senatorial by-election Saturday because he forgot his voter card in Abuja. 

Mr. Aliyu said he would abide by the electoral rule that states that no one can vote without a voter card. 

“I forgot my voter card in Abuja, which was human error, but I must commend those that came out to vote,” he said at the Umaru Musa Polling Unit in Minna. Mr. Aliyu, who was accompanied by his wife, said he had been told that the election was peaceful in the zone. 

The Senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Awaisu Kuta, who had held the seat. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Emannuel Onucheyo, said that the rule bars anybody without card from voting. “The commission’s policy is “no voter card, no voting”, he said in a text message sent to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Below are the results from the various polling units across the state, but which are yet to be officially released by the INEC:

•Area Court 1 Maikukulele, Bosso LGA: APC -134; PDP – 62
• Unit2, Maikunkulele Ward, Bosso LGA:APC – 202; PDP 63
•Nyinyi Maikunkele Bosso LGA: APC – 109; PDP – 53
•Umaru Musa Close, Tundunwada South, Chanchaga LGA: APC – 69; PDP – 53
•Yamaha Nite Close, Minna South, Chanchanga LGA:  APC – 91; PDP 54
•Nikangbe Minna South Chanchaga LGA:APC – 184;  PDP – 27
• Gaboda Unit Maje Ward, Suleja LGA: APC – 49;  PDP – 45
• Muntun Daya Unit, She Ward ,Shiroro LGA: APC 144; PDP – 43
•Paiko Central, Paikoro LGA: APC 1,433: PDP- 791
•Tuntungo, Gbadia ward, Paikoro LGA: APC – 1887;  PDP. – 1153
• Kampani Babangana, Beji ward ,Bosso LGA: APC 112;  PDP – 45
•Sarkin Magina Magayi ward: APC- 96; PDP-34
•Ogbara Pharmacy, Minna : APC- 34; PDP-7
•Dr. Faruq Primary Sch. Minna : APC-74 ;PDP-7
•Nasarawa B ward, Chanchaga LGA: APC – 81; PDP 41
•Kutirko Gbaganu,Minna South :APC -177; PDP 23
•Gbagama B Ward,Suleja LGA: APC-631; PDP-568
•Jigbeyi Beji ward, Bosso LGA: APC-63 ;PDP-57
•Kadna Chanchaga ward, Bosso LGA: APC—188 ;PDP-52
•Kampani Babangana Beji ward ,Bosso LGA :APC-112;PDP-45
•Ang barikuta Beji ward, Bosso LGA: APC-145; PDP 96
•Mutun Daya Beji Bosso LGA :APC-124; PDP-43
•Ang. Kuka Beji ward, Bosso LGA: APC-108 ;PDP 116
•Bosso Low Cost :APC-147; PDP-75
•Gidan Sarkin Bosso 1: APC -84; PDP 17
•Kadir II, Bosso  Centre  II :APC-122; PDP-36
•Ang  Hausawa Bosso Centre II: APC-129 ;PDP- 20
•Kofars Numa Chanchaga, Bosso LGA: APC-150;PDP-20

•Tusha Maikunkele Ward Bosso LGA: APC-80; PDP-17