Hon. Musa Agah Avia, winner of Jos North Bassa bye-election
INEC declares PDP candidate, Agah, winner of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency bye-election
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Musa Agah Avia, as winner of Saturday’s bye-election conducted for the Jos North/ Bassa Federal Constituency in Plateau State.
This is also as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the Pankshin South State Constituency bye-election conducted same day.
According to INEC’s Returning officer, Dr. Oyeyinka Oyerinde of the Department of Computer Science, University of Jos, Agah scored 40, 343 votes to beat the candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hon. Muhammad Gwani who scored 37, 757 votes while the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Abbey Aku scored 26, 111 votes.
The returning officer who declared the results on Sunday at the Jos North Local Government Area Collation Centre, said Avia scored the highest number of votes and was thus returned elected.
Reacting to the victory, former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, in a statement issued through his media aide, Clinton Garuba, said the outcome was ‘a foretaste of what is to come.’
“The result not only reflects the mood of the people but is a forest of what to expect as the 2023 general elections are fast approaching. We must congratulate and commend the constituents for conducting themselves in an orderly manner before, during, and after the election. The results reflect their commitment and resilience to having good representation in the Federal House of Representatives.
“Our party leadership at the National level, ably led by Senator (Dr.) Iyorchia Ayu deserves worthy commendation. We must register our profound gratitude, particularly to the Governor of Rivers State Barr. Nyesom Wike and to the Governors of Benue and Bauchi, Dr. Samuel Ortom and Senator Bala A. Mohammed, respectively, for their support and for physically being on the ground to monitor the elections. Your commitment has indeed yielded positive results.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the election in a free, fair, and credible manner, leaving no one in doubt as the results reflect the wishes of the electorate. We commend them and urge the INEC to continue to live up to its name and be a truly independent umpire as we engage in the general elections in 2023. The State EXCO of our party has shown leadership by ensuring that all the necessary measures were put in place to guarantee victory for our candidate…”
Also reacting, the Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial zone, Istifanus Gyang congratulated Agah, saying “the defeat of the APC is a verdict on the inglorious election phobia of Governor Lalong whose PLASIEC denied the PDP participation in what ought to have been keenly contested local government elections in the state. As it stands, the victory has nailed the coffin of the failed APC which came a distant 3rd place in the bye-election.”
Earlier, Governor of the state, Simon Lalong, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham, congratulated the winners and commended the electorate for “coming out to vote for their candidates of choice and conducting themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner which ensured that there was no breakdown of law and order throughout the process.”
He further appreciated INEC for “transparently conducting the exercise and ensuring that all parties and candidates had a level playing ground to campaign and participate in the bye-elections.”
