The All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State recorded a resounding victory on Saturday as its candidate, Felix Bagudu, clinched the Chikun–Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election with a commanding margin of 23,089 votes.
The ruling party also extended its grip on the state legislature, securing 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 result at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Kujama on Sunday.
According to him, the APC’s Bagudu scored 34,580 votes, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 11,491 votes.
“That Joseph, Felix Bagudu of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and return elected,” Jumare declared.
He also hailed 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 sealed Bagudu’s place in the House of Representatives, with jubilant APC supporters flooding the streets of Kujama and parts of Kaduna metropolis to celebrate what they described as “a well-deserved victory.”
The APC also dominated the Kaduna State House of Assembly by-elections in the Zaria zone.
In Zaria Kewaye constituency, the Returning Officer, Prof. Balarabe Abdullahi, declared Isa Haruna Ihamo the winner after he garnered 26,613 votes.
His closest challenger, the Social Democratic Party candidate, Nuhu Sada Abdullahi, polled 5,721 votes, while PDP’s Mamuda Abdullahi Wappa came third with 5,331 votes.
Similarly, in the Basawa constituency, the Returning Officer, Prof. Nasiru Rabiu, announced that the APC candidate scored 10,926 votes, defeating the PDP’s flagbearer, who got 5,499 votes.
The clean sweep underlined the APC’s dominance in Kaduna politics, especially in the Zaria axis where opposition parties had hoped to put up a stronger fight.
Reacting to the outcome, Kaduna APC Secretary, Yahaya Baba-Pate, said the victory was “a reward for hard work and the people’s appreciation of the ruling party’s performance.”
During a chat with PUNCH Online, 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 dismissed opposition claims 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.
