The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State inconclusive.
Announcing the decision, the Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, explained that the lead margin between the two top parties was smaller than the number of voters in polling units where elections were cancelled.
According to him, voting was cancelled in Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards. In Sakajiki (code 06), two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were affected. In Kyambarawa (code 05), three polling units with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 PVCs were also cancelled. Altogether, 5,446 voters were registered in the affected areas, with 3,265 PVCs collected.
Earlier results had shown the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the lead with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with 5,339 votes — a margin of 1,662. However, this was less than the number of PVCs in the cancelled polling units, making the outcome inconclusive.
Quoting provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, including Sections 24 (2 & 3), 47 (3), and 51 (2), Professor Sa’adu declared: “The election is hereby inconclusive.”
The Zamfara State chapter of the APC described the bye-election as “tough” but commended voters for their resilience.
“No doubt, the election was tough, tense, and conducted under very harsh conditions as the government in power used all its illegal machinery to threaten and harass the electorate, yet the people remained focused and resilient,” the party said in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau.
“This election has shown the strength and continued acceptance of the party in the state by the electorate. We equally thank our leaders, specifically His Excellency, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and His Excellency, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, for their constant support and encouragement to the operations and management of the party.”, the party added.
APC further argued that the result sent a message to the state government.
“This election has shown the government that its failure in providing good governance, especially in improving the life of the state’s citizens and concern for the plight of its people, will no longer be tolerated,” the statement read.
The party also accused the ruling PDP of intimidation and harassment of voters.
“The state APC leadership, however, strongly assures that any move to change the people’s mandate will be vehemently resisted,” it warned.
It praised supporters from Kyambarawa, Banga, Sakajiki, Kurya, Dan-Isa, and Kagara, saying: “We sincerely thank people … for turning out in mass to vote APC despite the Zamfara State government’s deployment of thugs, CPG and other vagabonds in disregard to the security ban on them and yet, the electorate summoned courage to withstand all the intimidation.”
