GOVERNOR Aminu Tambuwal has been declared the winner of the Sokoto State gubernatorial election following the supplementary poll held in the state on Saturday. Thus, Tambuwal, who was a former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, has secured a second term in office.

However, it was not all smooth sailing for the incumbent governor as Aliyu Ahmed, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) gave him a good run for his money.

At the end of the collation exercise on Sunday, Tambuwal’s total votes was 25,857 while that of his opponent was 25,515, a slim difference of 342 votes.

Today: His Excellency @AWTambuwal celebrates in advance with his family and @OfficialPDPNig loyal supporters at his Government House Resident. pic.twitter.com/ROUhRStW8L

— Sokoto Government House (@SokotoGovtHouse) March 24, 2019

Recall that after the initial election held on March 9, Tambuwal had scored a total of 489,558 votes and Aliyu, 486,145 votes.

Tambuwal was, therefore, returned elected with a total vote count of 512,002 against his opponent’s 511,661. The margin of victory was a mere 341 votes, the slimmest so far in the 2019 general election.

The Sokoto State returning officer, Fatima Muktar, announced that “Tambuwal, having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of votes in the election declared winner and is returned elected”.

Tambuwalis one of the former chieftains of the APC who left the party in 2018 to rejoin the PDP following what they then described as unreconcilable differences. The others are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwanso, Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye and many others.