Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna, have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of Saturday’s bye-election in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency.
The two APC leaders described the exercise as peaceful and well-organised, saying the conduct of the poll could provide useful lessons ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They spoke separately shortly after casting their votes at their respective polling units in Gombe on Saturday.
Governor Yahaya, who voted at his Yahya Umaru Polling Unit, Government Science Secondary School, Jekadafari, said the process had been orderly and peaceful, while commending the turnout of voters.
“The process has been well arranged and peaceful, with the turnout of voters very impressive. The voters have shown great enthusiasm,” the governor said.
He added that reports reaching him from Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas indicated that the election was proceeding smoothly as of the time he cast his ballot.
Yahaya expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious after the completion of the collation process and announcement of the results.
He said the relatively smooth conduct of the election was encouraging as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Similarly, Gwamna commended INEC officials for what he described as the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Speaking after voting at his Sa’adu Mangu 007 Polling Unit in Jekadafari Ward, the APC candidate said the conduct of the poll had increased his confidence in future elections.
“It gives us confidence that the 2027 elections will be organised in a much better way. I’m very much satisfied with INEC. More grease to their elbows, as I have not received any report of hitches at the moment,” he said.
Gwamna also described voter participation as satisfactory, urging Nigerians to continue to participate actively in the electoral process.
The bye-election is being conducted across 903 polling units in 31 Registration Areas covering Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas, with 495,851 registered voters.
The election is to fill the vacant Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives following the death of the former occupant, Yaya Bauchi Tongo.
