By Peter Omopo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Hassan Shado, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the Okura State Constituency by-election in Kogi State.
Announcing the result at the Egume Collation Centre on Saturday, the Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Onome, said Shado polled 55,073 votes to defeat his rivals. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate secured 1,038 votes, while the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate garnered 445 votes.
Despite the landslide victory, the election was marked by low voter turnout, a development acknowledged by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oliver Agundu. While lamenting the apathy, Agundu commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and confirmed that minor incidents were promptly managed by security agencies.
Some voters expressed satisfaction with the process, but others alleged irregularities and questioned the credibility of the poll.
Meanwhile, APC’s Deputy National Director of Organising, Isah Daniel, and APM candidate, Joseph Egehe, both praised the peaceful atmosphere during the election, with Egehe expressing personal satisfaction despite his loss.
The Okura by-election was conducted to fill a vacant seat in the Kogi State House of Assembly.
