The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Halilu Danladi Envu-Alanza of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday.
The Returning Officer, Professor Aminu Ali, announced the result at the collation centre located at the College of Education, Akwanga, after the completion of vote collation from Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba local government areas.
According to the final figures, Envu-Alanza secured 45,362 votes to emerge victorious ahead of his closest rivals. The Labour Party candidate, Labaran Maku, garnered 12,931 votes, while Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 11,570 votes. Alaku Mohammed Steve of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) received 1,496 votes.
Declaring the outcome, Professor Ali stated that Envu-Alanza had fulfilled all legal requirements and was therefore returned elected as the winner of the senatorial contest.
The by-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki.
Meanwhile, Labour Party officials staged a walkout at the collation centre in protest against the conduct of the collation process and the election results.
The protest was led by Dr. Ben Ango, who headed the party’s delegation at the centre. He and other LP representatives exited the venue shortly after results from the three local government areas were collated.
Although Ango declined to address journalists before leaving, party officials present expressed dissatisfaction with the collation exercise.
Earlier, Labour Party candidate Labaran Maku had raised concerns over alleged BVAS malfunctions and ballot-related irregularities in some polling units during the election.