The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Halilu Danladi Envu-Alanza the winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election, held on Sunday in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The Returning Officer, Professor Aminu Ali, made the announcement after collating results from across the electoral district. Envu-Alanza secured 45,362 votes, comfortably defeating his closest rival, Labour Party candidate and former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who polled 12,931 votes. Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came in third with 11,570 votes.
Professor Ali officially declared Envu-Alanza elected, stating, “Halilu Dangadi Envwulanza of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared a winner and is returned elected.” The by-election was necessitated by the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki, whose seat became vacant and required immediate filling in accordance with electoral regulations. The election was closely watched due to the high-profile nature of the candidates and the political significance of the Nasarawa North constituency.
Maku, who had campaigned vigorously and was seen as a strong contender, had earlier raised concerns about irregularities during the voting process. He alleged malfunctioning of the Biometric Verification Authentication System (BVAS) in some polling units and reported instances of ballot tampering. Despite these claims, INEC maintained that the election proceeded in a peaceful and orderly manner, with no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation. The commission emphasized that all legal procedures were followed, and results were verified before being announced.
The victory for Envu-Alanza marks a significant win for the APC in the region, reinforcing the party’s stronghold in Nasarawa State. His election will see him assume the senatorial seat in the National Assembly, representing the interests of Nasarawa North. The result also reflects the electorate’s preference for APC’s platform, despite the strong challenge posed by Maku’s experience and national profile.
As Envu-Alanza prepares to take office, attention now turns to how he will address the developmental needs of the constituency. His election follows a period of political tension and scrutiny, but the peaceful conduct of the by-election underscores the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic processes. The outcome sets a precedent for future elections in the region and signals continued voter engagement despite challenges.
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