THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded a major upset on Saturday after defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polling unit of Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, during the Garki-Babura federal constituency by-election in Jigawa State.
At Polling Unit 001, Babura Kofar Arewa Primary School, where the immediate past governor of Jigawa State cast his ballot under tight security, the PDP secured 308 votes, while the APC managed 112 votes.
The minister, a chieftain of the APC, left the venue immediately after voting and declined to speak with journalists.
The development has raised eyebrows within the political landscape of Jigawa, as Badaru is considered one of the strongest political figures in the state, having governed between 2015 and 2023 before being appointed Defence Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reports from across the Garki-Babura constituency indicated that the by-election was conducted under heavy security presence. Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other agencies were strategically deployed to polling units and major locations in both Babura and Garki Local Government Areas.
Polling Officer I at Badaru’s unit, Mr. Ibrahim Shehu, told reporters that the process was smooth, noting that no irregularities were recorded during voting and counting.
Similarly, at Primary Yamma (005) polling unit, the Minister of State for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Ahmad, lauded the peaceful conduct of the election and expressed confidence that the APC would bounce back when the final results from all polling units were announced.
While some residents trooped out to vote, others went about their daily businesses, with commercial activities ongoing in parts of the constituency.
Nonetheless, the exercise witnessed relatively high voter turnout compared to previous elections in the area.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the official results from all polling units later.
a political analyst, Dr Dahiru Maifulani told News Point Nigeria that the PDP’s victory at the Defence Minister’s polling unit could be symbolic, reflecting the shifting dynamics of voter sentiment in Jigawa State.
