INEC has declared Musa Mustapha of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the Yobe East Senatorial by-election.

The returning officer for the exercise, Ibrahim Jajere of the Federal University, Gashua, announced the election results of Saturday’s poll on Sunday in Damaturu.

Declaring the results, Mr Jajere said, “One Umar Kalli of ADC scored 452 votes, Musa Mustapha of APC 68,778 votes, Hussaini Auwalu of APGA 412 votes, Muhammed Jawa of NNPP 251 votes and Kolomi Ali of PDP 18,878 votes.

“That Musa Mustapha of APC, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner and is returned elected.”

Addressing his constituents later, Mustapha thanked them for their support.

He promised to work tirelessly to bring the needed development to the area and the state.

He commended INEC, security agencies and journalists for their dedication, sacrifice and hard work.

Mr Mustapha thanked Governor Mai Mala Buni and party members for their unwavering support.

PDP agent Bashir Sadiq alleged some irregularities in the electoral process in some polling units.

“There was an open, brazen and unprecedented act of vote buying in almost all the places I visited, and we have taken note of that,” Mr Sadiq said.

According to him, the party will sit down, look at the entire exercise, and come out with a position.

However, the team leader of the coalition of INEC accredited observer groups, Victor Kalu, described the exercise as transparent, credible, free, fair and in line with democratic tenets. 

(NAN)