Low Turnout, Early Rainfall Mar Kebbi By-Election

Despite delays caused by early morning rainfall and low voter turnout, the by-election for the Zuru State Constituency seat in the Kebbi State House of Assembly was conducted peacefully across the 200 polling units in Zuru Local Government Area.

The election recorded low turnout in some polling units, while voters arrived late at others due to the rainfall.

However, the exercise remained largely peaceful, with security personnel deployed across the area to ensure a smooth process.

It was observed that between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., residents of Zuru town were already going about their normal activities, while shops and other businesses remained open.

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Speaking shortly after casting his vote at Mango Waje Polling Unit, the Kebbi State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Kana Zuru, attributed the late arrival of voters to the early morning rainfall and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious.

He said the exercise was progressing smoothly and described the turnout as encouraging despite the weather conditions, which delayed the arrival of many voters at polling centres.

At Alhaji Budo Polling Unit in the Rafin Zuru community, the APC candidate for Kebbi South Senatorial District, Muhammad Jafar Gajere, cast his vote and commended voters for participating in the exercise.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Salihu Dangoje, who was in Zuru to monitor the exercise, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of women voters at Suffi Polling Unit in Zuru town.

The Labour Party candidate, Alkali Aliyu Galadima, cast his vote at his Mahuta Polling Unit and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and voters for the peaceful conduct of the election.

He, however, said the electoral body could improve its performance in future elections.

Security personnel were present at all the polling units visited in Zuru.

At several polling units, many voters had cast their ballots and returned home, while officials of the INEC awaited the close of voting before commencing the counting and collation of results.