Maiharaji Altine,Gusau
Despite the initially challenges faced by the ruling All Progressives Congress in Zamfara State during the primary election as well as the delay in the clearance of its candidates for the Governorship and the National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission , the party has won all the Senatorial and Federal House of Representatives positions in the just-concluded elections.
In a hot contest which lasted for three consecutive days due to multiple problems, the APC candidates swept all positions, leaving the opposition parties with nothing.
The three Senatorial seats of Zamfara West, Zamfara Central and Zamfara North were won by APC candidates, where the outgoing Governor, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, was declared winner for the Zamfara West Senatorial zone.
Similarly, a former Information Minister during the administration of the late Alhaji Umar Musa Yar, Adua, Alhaji Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, was returned elected as Senator for Zamfara Central zone, where the controversial Senator, Alhaji Kabiru Garba Marafa, is currently representing.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, again, retained his senatorial seat for Zamfara North senatorial zone as he defeated a former Senator, Alhaji Sahabi Ya’u Kaura.
All the seven Members of Federal House of Representatives elected are from the APC and they include, Alhaji Ibrahim Birnin Magaji from Kaura/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency; Alhaji Abubakar Husaini Moriki from Shimkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency and Zubairu Zanna from Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency.
Others are Sanusi Rikiji of Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency; Muntaka Rini of Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency; Sharu Dandarki of Mafara/ Anka Federal Constituency and Jibo Bukkuyum from Gummi/bukkuyum Federal Constituency.
Speaking to newsmen after the announcement of the results, Gov. Yari expressed warm appreciation for the courage exhibited by the people of the State , who according to him, had shown sense of commitment during the election period despite the insecurity challenges.
He thanked all those who came out to vote for APC despite the short period of campaign and assured them that the party would do everything possible to ensure provision of dividends of democracy even as he called on all those who contested and failed to regard it as an act of God.
The state Returning Officer, Professor Kabiru Bala, from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria told journalists after the announcement of the results, that the election was hitch-free, except where there were cases of election irregularities in some local government areas, where the elections were cancelled and rescheduled for the following Sunday.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC also scored the highest votes of 438,682, while Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party scored 125,423 votes.
