It was jubilation galore in Gwagwalada as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Kasim Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Area Council chairmanship election.
Mohammed polled 22,165 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 17,788 votes in the keenly contested race.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, said the PDP candidate met all constitutional requirements and was duly returned elected. He described the poll as peaceful and smooth.
Though there were murmurs in some quarters over alleged voter intimidation and vote-buying, INEC insisted the exercise reflected the true wishes of the people.
Moments after the declaration, PDP supporters stormed major streets in Gwagwalada in wild celebration, waving party flags and chanting solidarity songs.
With this victory, the PDP has tightened its grip on the council, while attention now shifts to how the opposition will respond to the outcome.
PDP Floors APC in Gwagwalada, Kasim Mohammed Clinches Chairmanship Seat
