By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared Mr. Gabriel Saleh of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s rerun election into the Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency seat.
The Appeal Court had, on 19th October 2023, declared the March 18, 2023 election of the Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency election inconclusive and ordered a fresh election in the entire Federal Constituency.
Declaring the result of the election, the returning officer, Prof. Saleh Ado, said that Mr. Gabriel Saleh Zock of the APC won the election with 42,461 votes and his closest rival, Umar Gurara of PDP polled 26,208 votes, while Mr Austin of the Labour Party (LP) All trailed behind with 2,311 votes.
“Gabriel Saleh Zock of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Ado said.
Reacting to his victory in a telephone interview, Gabriel expressed gratitude to the people of Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency for reaffirming their support for him.
He promised to consolidate his previous achievements with the renewed mandate given to him by his people.
The Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) while reacting to the outcome of the election, Hon. Augustine Umar Danbaba described the election as peaceful, credible, and fair.
He said he accepted the verdict of the people and promised to work assiduously with the winner for the development of the Federal Constituency.
A former Federal Commissioner who represented Kaduna State at the National Population Commission, Dr. Abdulmalik Durunguwa, commended the Independent Electoral Commission, for the peaceful conduct of the Saturday off-circle elections.
The former NPC Commissioner adjudged the polls as the most peaceful and credible in the State.
He urged the candidates who participated in the election to accept the verdict and work toward the development of the areas.
He called on the people as a matter of urgency, to align themselves with the ruling party to attract dividends of democracy.
” For the APC candidate that won the election, we are confident that he has learned his lessons, and he will be a better politician,” Durunguwa added.
The Executive Chairman of Kachia and Kagarko Local Government Areas in a separate interview, Hon. Aaron Bako, and Hon. Nasara Rabo commended INEC for conducting free and fair elections.
They maintained that APC having won the elections, the two Local government areas in collaboration with the present House of Rep Member and the State Governor, their Constituency will experience rapid development.
They applaud the people for their resilience and commitment in ensuring they returned their candidate to Seat.
