The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Ungogo and Kano Municipal State Assembly bye-elections held on Saturday in Kano State.
In Kano Municipal Constituency, the APC candidate, Aliyu Nabil Daneji, polled 7,484 votes to win the seat and will represent the constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly.
The Returning Officer, Professor Ibrahim Tajo Siraj, announced the result and declared Daneji duly elected.
In Ungogo Constituency, the APC candidate, Aminu Sa’ad Sa’ad, garnered 8,975 votes to clinch the seat. Professor Ali Tijjani Abdullahi, who served as Returning Officer for the constituency, declared Sa’ad the winner and returned him elected.
The major opposition parties, including the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), did not participate in the elections.
The exercise, however, recorded low voter turnout across several polling units.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State, Ambassador Abdu Zango, attributed the voter apathy to the timing of the elections and limited participation by political parties.
Speaking to journalists while monitoring the exercise, Zango described the polls as peaceful despite the low turnout.
“First of all, I think the timing, maybe Ramadan. Second, I think the general feeling that this is a very small election involving only two candidates and very few parties. Nine contestants, I think,” he said.
He added that the elections were conducted in a calm atmosphere without any incidents of violence or security breaches.
“As far as security is concerned, you can see for yourselves, no issue. It’s very unlike Kano. We really want to appreciate and commend citizens who have behaved responsibly.
“No violence. No threat whatsoever, visible or even invisible. So we are very happy,” Zango stated.
The REC also dismissed insinuations regarding the absence of some major opposition parties, noting that INEC had not received any formal complaints.
“That they are not participating is entirely the responsibility of the parties. We don’t decide who participates.
“Whoever conducts valid primaries, submits candidates, and complies with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines is eligible to contest,” he added.
(Daily Trust)
