PDP Wins Niger East Senatorial By-Election

Nuhu Shem ZagbayiThe Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday declared Shem Zagbayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the Niger East Senatorial by-election after a re-run.

The August 30 by-election was declared inconclusive due to electoral malpractice in some polling units.

The re-run was held in polling units in Bosso, Chanchaga, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi and Shiroro local government areas on Saturday.

The returning Officer for the election, Morenikeji Olakonmi, who announced the results in Minna, said that Mr. Zagbayi, a former deputy governor, polled a total 92, 056 votes against David Umaru of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who scored 87, 405 votes.

He said Isa Bello of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Abdullahi Dikko of Social Democratic Party scored 2,185 and 419 votes respectively.

“We have come to the conclusion of the collation. I, Prof. Morenike Olakonmi, hereby certify that I was the Returning Officer for Niger East Senatorial District by-election held on the 6th day of September 2014.

“That Dr Shem Zagbayi of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner”, he said.

(NAN)