Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto), Abdullahi Kalambaina (All Progressives Congress candidate) and Aminu Kware, (Peoples Democratic Party candidate) have expressed satisfaction with Saturday’s voting process in the for the Sokoto bye-election.
They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria during and after the bye-election to replace late Muhammad Wamakko, the Member representing Kware/Wamakko Federal Constituency.
Wamakko, who spoke after voting at Gidan-Kara Polling Unit, said the turnout, especially that of women, was encouraging and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for a smooth process.
According to him, the 8th Senate, as it is now, is working on the basis of mutual respect and trust.
He said: “We are all there as Nigerians to work in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians and not there to argue based on sentiments or emotions.
“Sokoto State is the home of APC and it is one of the states that are still maintaining the standard as far as APC is concerned.
“The three tiers of government are working and we are doing our possible best to ensure that we deliver on our promises and meet the expectations of the people.”
Kalambaina said the process was in order as election was taking place across all polling units in the constituency.
He noted that though the turnout of voters in some polling units was initially low, it, however, has increased as voters continued to troop in.
He added: “Moreover, the process is being conducted in a credible manner and so I am ready to accept whatever is the outcome of the election.”
Kalambaina said he was in the race to secure a mandate that would afford him the opportunity to touch lives, and assured the people of a better representation at the House of Representatives.
Kware, however, said he initially received complaints from supporters on some minor irregularities, but had forwarded same to INEC.
He also expressed readiness to accept the outcome of the election.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development in the state, Alhaji Mannir Dan’iya, also expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election and commended the people for their orderliness and large turnout.
The Sokoto state APC Chairman, Alhaji Usman Danmadamin-Isa, described the accreditation and voting processes as excellent, saying that said the party would accept the outcome of the election.
However, the APC state treasurer, Alhaji Muntari Maigona, urged INEC to ensure that some polling units such as Dundaye and others got adequate voting materials as voting started late in those places.
NAN reports that 22 political parties fielded candidates at the bye-election.
NAN.