Wamakko wins Sokoto governorship poll, ANPP kicks

A former Governor of Sokoto State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, has been declared as the governor-elect of the state.
However, the All Nigeria Peoples Party has kicked against the outcome of the election that produced Wamakko.
The Independent National Electoral Commission said Wamakko polled over 70 per cent of the votes cast in the election with his 518,247 votes.

The governorship candidate of the ANPP, Yusha’u Ahmed, who spoke with journalists before the official announcement of the result of the election held on Saturday, said there were several cases of intimidation and harassment of the electorate by armed youths.
Ahmed also said the electoral process was marred by irregularities in many polling units.
Ahmed told newsmen: “Election is not an event but a process.
“If the process is faulty, the election would be faulty.
“Our people have been intimidated and harassed by armed youth in connivance with security agencies.
“There were dane gun shots at Gudu where our supporter was killed and many are receiving treatment at some hospitals.
“Our agents posted to Illela and Gada were returned by the Police.
“None of our agents participated in these areas.
“How could the election be free and fair when our agents were denied their duties?
“On the whole, we reject whatever result that will be announced by INEC and ask INEC to organise a free and fair election under the supervision of neutral body.
“Even if we would win, we still reject the result.”
The Commissioner, Sokoto State Police Command, Baba Bolanta; the Sokoto State Chairman of the PDP, Waziri Bodinga; and the spokesperson of INEC in Sokoto State, Musa Muhammed, all denied allegations of irregularities in the election.
Bolanta said: “These are baseless and false allegations. We have been fair to all parties.”
Bodinga said: “They are lies. It is ranting of an imminent loser. Don’t mind them.”
Muhammed said: “INEC refutes the allegation. We have not received reports about their allegations and we cannot make further comments because collation is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a congratulatory message to Wamakko.
In the message signed by his spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko on his victory in Saturday’s governorship elections in Sokoto State.
“President Jonathan welcomes Alhaji Wamakko’s re-election for a second term by a clear majority of registered voters in Sokoto State as a manifestation of their continued faith in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their satisfaction with the performance of the Wamakko Administration during his first term in office.
“The President urges Alhaji Wamakko to seize the opportunity of the fresh four-year mandate which he has been given by the people of Sokoto State to continue the very laudable development programmes, especially the popular rural development   schemes that were initiated during his first term which have had a very positive impact on the populace.
“President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant Alhaji Wamakko another successful term of office in the service of the people of Sokoto State and the nation.”