THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the results of governorship elections in Zamfara, Rivers and Kaduna states.
The announcement was made by the INEC returning officers in each state after collating the results from polling units.
Zamfara’s incumbent governor, Matawalle Bello, lost his reelection bid to Lawal Dare of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The returning officer for the election, Kasimu Shehu, said Dare scored 377,726 votes to defeat Matawalle, who polled 311, 976 votes.
In Rivers State, Sim Fubara of the PDP emerged victorious in the gubernatorial election after polling 302,614 votes.
According to INEC, Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 95,274 votes, while Beatrice Itubo of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,224 votes.
Meanwhile, Uba Sani of the APC has been declared winner of the Kaduna State gubernatorial election.
INEC collation officer, Lawal Bilbis said Sani secured 730,002 votes to defeat his closest rival, Isah Ashiru Kudan of the PDP, who garnered 719,196 votes. Jonathan Asake of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 58,283 votes.
Sani won in 10 local government areas (LGAs) of the state, while Ashiru won in 13. The LGAs won by Ashiru include Kaura, Sanga, Kajuru, Jaba, Makarfi, Jema’ah, Zango-Kataf, Soba, Chikun, Kagarko, Kachia, Lere, and Kudan.
The APC candidate won in Giwa, Ikara, Kauru, Sabon-Gari, Zaria, Kubau, Kaduna South, Kaduna North, Igabi, and Birnin-Gwari.
The governorship elections in the three states were keenly contested by the major political parties. The polls were also marred by pockets of violence and irregularities.
However, INEC has assured Nigerians that the results reflect the true wishes of the electorate.
Reacting to his victory in Zamfara, Lawal Dare of the PDP said his victory was a sign that the people of the state have rejected Matawalle’s administration. He promised to work hard to fulfil his campaign promises and take the state to greater heights.
Similarly, Sim Fubara of the PDP expressed gratitude to the people of Rivers State for giving him the opportunity to serve them. He promised to work tirelessly to ensure that the state experiences more development.
Uba Sani of the APC also thanked the people of Kaduna State for their support. He promised to run an all-inclusive government that will bring development to all parts of the state.
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