The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State recorded a resounding victory on Saturday as its candidate, Felix Bagudu, won the Chikun–Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election with a commanding margin of 23,089 votes.
The ruling party secured both the Zaria Kewaye and Basawa constituencies in the House of Assembly bye-elections.
The Returning Officer for the Chikun-Kajuru contest, Prof. Abubakar Mohammed Jumare, announced the results on Sunday at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Kujama.
The APC’s Bagudu received 34,580 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate received 11 votes.
“That Joseph Felix Bagudu of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Jumare declared.
He also applauded the conduct of voters and party agents during the exercise.
“We appreciate the cooperation of security agencies, party agents, and voters.
“The process was transparent, and the results reflect the will of the people,” he added.
The outcome secured Bagudu’s seat in the House of Representatives, with euphoric APC supporters overflowing the streets of Kujama and sections of Kaduna to celebrate what they called “a well-deserved victory”.
The APC also swept the Kaduna State House of Assembly by-elections in the Zaria zone.
Prof. Balarabe Abdullahi, the Returning Officer for the Zaria Kewaye constituency, proclaimed Isa Haruna Ihamo the winner with 26,613 votes.
His nearest adversary, the Social Democratic Party candidate Nuhu Sada Abdullahi, received 5,721 votes, while the PDP’s Mamuda Abdullahi Wappa received 5,331 votes.
Similarly, in the Basawa constituency, Prof. Nasiru Rabiu, the Returning Officer, declared that the APC candidate received 10,926 votes, defeating the PDP’s flagbearer, who received 5,499.
The sweeping sweep highlighted the APC’s supremacy in Kaduna politics, particularly along the Zaria axis, where opposition parties had planned to mount a stronger challenge.
In response to the results, Kaduna APC Secretary Yahaya Baba-Pate stated the victory was “a reward for hard work and the people’s appreciation of the ruling party’s performance.”
Baba-Pate said, “Our candidate in Chikun–Kajuru worked tirelessly, going door-to-door to engage the electorate.
“The people rewarded him with overwhelming votes. The same thing happened in Zaria Kewaye and Basawa.
“This victory is for democracy, and it shows the people trust the APC to deliver.”
Baba-Pate also refuted claims by the opposition that the elections were compromised.
“The figures speak for themselves. You can’t rig where you are not popular.
“The APC is deeply rooted in Kaduna, and these results confirm it,” he added.
