The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State inconclusive. The decision was announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau.
He explained that the reason for declaring the Zamfara bye-election inconclusive was because the margin between the leading party and the runner-up was lower than the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in polling units where voting was cancelled.
Breakdown of Affected Polling Units
Professor Sa’adu revealed that elections were cancelled in two registration areas 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 were affected, with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 collected PVCs.
Altogether, 5,446 voters were registered across these areas, while 3,265 PVCs were collected. Earlier results showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) led with 7,001 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with 5,339 votes. The margin of 1,662 votes was less than the 3,265 collected PVCs in the affected polling units, which made the Zamfara bye-election result inconclusive.
Electoral Act and Legal Grounds
Citing Sections 24 subsections 2 and 3, Section 47 subsection 3, and Section 51 subsection 2 of the Electoral Act 2022, the Returning Officer explained that the laws gave INEC the authority to declare the Zamfara bye-election inconclusive.
APC Reacts to Zamfara Bye-Election
The Zamfara State chapter of the APC has responded to the decision, describing the bye-election as “tough and tense.” In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party alleged that the ruling PDP in the state used intimidation and harassment against voters.
According to the APC, “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 also praised its supporters and leaders, including Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, for their role in keeping the party strong.
Controversy Over Governance and Mandate
The APC insisted that the Zamfara bye-election result has shown that the state government is failing in providing good governance. The party further alleged that the PDP government has ignored the plight of the people, which was reflected in the voting pattern.
In the words of the APC, “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 party also warned against any attempt to “change the people’s mandate,” insisting that such a move would be resisted.
Zamfara Bye-Election Declared Inconclusive
The Zamfara bye-election declared inconclusive by INEC has caused a tussle between the APC and PDP in the state. With elections cancelled in key polling units and the final outcome still pending, tension remains high in Kaura-Namoda South Constituency.
