Bye-election: Gombe gov, others hail smooth voting process

Gombe gov during the voting exercise - Chima Azubuike

Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election, describing the exercise as peaceful and well organised.

Yahaya, who spoke after casting his vote at the Yahaya Umaru 010 polling unit, said the turnout was encouraging despite the election being a bye-election.

He said, “The process is as usual well arranged and very peaceful and you can see the turnout is good. I’m happy that people are enthusiastic despite that this is a bye-election. People are happy and I know my party is going to make it.”

The governor said reports from the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency indicated that the election was progressing smoothly.

He added, “It’s about the same report everywhere, people are happy. It’s only three local governments, Gombe, Kwami, Funakaye, and I have gotten reports that the election is going on well and it will end well.”

Similarly, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Jamilu Gwamna, commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of the election.

Gwamna, who voted at Saidu Mangu 007 polling unit, said the conduct of the bye-election had boosted his confidence in the preparations for the 2027 general elections.

“This gives us confidence that the upcoming election in 2027 will be organised in a much better way. We are very satisfied with the current arrangement. More grease to the elbow.

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“As far as I know, there are no hitches. The participation is satisfactory,” Gwamna said.

Also speaking, the APC candidate for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Usman Kallamu, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the poll.

Kallamu, who spoke at Duban Fulani, said reports from other parts of the constituency indicated that the election was progressing smoothly.

He said, “Honestly speaking, when I look at what is going on in Duban Fulani here and I called other places like Gombe, Kwami, Funakaye, I told myself that the way the election is going on is very satisfactory.”

On his expectation, Kallamu said he was confident of victory, adding that the turnout at his polling location was encouraging.

“My expectation is to win. As of now, I’m very comfortable with what they have done so far. The turnout is okay as now. Look around you, you will see those in queue,” he added.