Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has cast his ballot in the ongoing Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election, commending the peaceful conduct of the exercise and what he described as an impressive voter turnout.
Yahaya voted at his polling unit in Jekadafari Ward, Gombe Local Government Area, on Saturday, shortly after which he expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the election and the participation of voters.
This was disclosed in a statement issued and signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, on Saturday.
The governor said the exercise had so far been peaceful and well organised, noting that voters had turned out in large numbers despite the election being a bye-election.
“The election is well organised and very peaceful. You can see that the turnout is very, very good. I’m happy that people are very enthusiastic despite the fact that it is a bye-election,” he said.
Yahaya also expressed optimism about the performance of his political party in the election, attributing what he described as its acceptance among voters to development recorded under his administration.
“This is a bye-election, but looking at the acceptability of our party, owing to the enormous development we have brought, I am optimistic that my party is going to achieve victory,” he stated.
The governor also said he had received reports from other parts of the constituency indicating that the voting process was proceeding peacefully across the three local government areas covered by the election.
“I received similar reports from various places. I have gotten reports from everywhere in the constituency that the election is going on well and it will end well, God’s willing,” Yahaya said.
The Gombe State governor said the peaceful conduct of the bye-election could provide useful experience ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged voters, political actors and other stakeholders to maintain the peaceful atmosphere and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the remaining stages of the electoral process.
The bye-election is being conducted across 903 polling units in Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas to fill the vacant seat in the House of Representatives.
The seat became vacant following the death of the former representative of the constituency, Hon. Yaya Bauchi Tongo.
The election covers the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency, with voters expected to elect a new representative to serve in the House of Representatives.
The governor’s comments came as voting continued across the constituency, with the conduct of the exercise being closely watched by political parties, electoral officials, security agencies and other stakeholders.
West Trybe reports that the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election is being held to fill the House of Representatives seat left vacant by the death of Yaya Bauchi Tongo, with voting taking place across 903 polling units in the three local government areas.
