David Umaru Loses Re-run On Allegations Of Irregularities

The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Shem Nuhu Zagbayi has won Niger East by-election amidst allegations of voter inducement, even as the state governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, said the victory is dedicated to the people.

The PDP in the result announced by the returning officer, Professor Morenikeji O. Oluwole, scored 92,056 votes, APC candidate, David Umaru scored 87, 405 votes, APGA candidate, Isah Bello 2,185 and SDP candidate, Abdullahi Shuaibu Dikko 491 votes.

The result showed that there were 182, 137 valid votes cast and 8,042 invalid votes, making 190,179 votes cast during the election that extended to a supplementary election on Saturday.

He said there were 949,851 registered voters but only 205, 765 voters were accredited for the election, an indication that less than 25 per cent of registered voters of the Niger-east came out to vote.

Meanwhile, there were allegations of voters’ inducement by the APC. According to the publicity secretary of the party, Jonathan Vasta, votes were bought while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agents turned blind eyes.

He said that the victory handed the PDP candidate by the combined effort of the security agents and the INEC was a rape of democracy while the PDP publicity secretary, Mohammed Hassan Saba dismissed the allegation as a cry of a losing party.

Saba expressed the party’s appreciation to the electorate of Niger-east for once again associating with laudable achievements of the PDP-led government of the state by voting for the party.

Also, the governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said he has dedicated the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Niger East senatorial by-election to the people of Niger State.

Aliyu who made this known at a statewide broadcast yesterday in Minna said the victory of Dr Nuhu Zagbayi overthe All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Barrister David Umaru is a reflection of the confidence the people have in the party.

He expressed satisfaction over the conduct and outcome of the election stating that despite the use of thugs, a level playing ground was the major characteristic of the entire process.