The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ahmad Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Sokoto State.

The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Armaya’u Hamisu, made the declaration after the collation of the election results from 23 Local Government Areas of Sokoto State on Sunday night.

Hamisu, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Dutsin-ma in Katsina State, said Aliyu polled 453,661 votes to defeat Malam Sa’idu Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who garnered 404,632 votes.

The Returning Officer said 17 political parties took part in the election.

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He added that out of the 2,172,056 registered voters in the state, 901,513 voters were accredited for the election.

Hamisu said the number of valid votes was 864,419, while rejected votes stood at 15,357.

“Votes scored by political parties are AA 66 votes; AAC 207 votes; ADC 329 votes; ADP 1,429 votes; APC 453,661 votes; APGA 861 votes and APM 232 votes.

“Others are APP 155 votes; BP 101 votes; LP 251 votes; NNPP 427 votes; NRM 927 votes; PDP 404,632 votes; PRP 522 votes; SDP 286 votes; YPP 212 votes; and ZLP 113 votes,” he added.

Hamisu, who stressed the election was conducted in accordance with the law, said: “Ahmed Aliyu of APC having satisfied the requirement of the law is declared the winner and returned elected.”

The Star