The senatorial bye-election in Nasarawa North Senatorial District commenced on schedule on Saturday, with electoral officials and voting materials arriving early at polling units across the affected local government areas.
The election is being conducted in Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon local government areas, with voting beginning in several centres shortly after the official start time.
Speaking after casting his vote at Konfar Sarkin Polling Unit 003 in Akwanga Local Government Area, the Chairman of Akwanga LGA, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its organisation and punctuality.
According to Andaha, he voted at exactly 8:32 a.m., noting that electoral officials arrived on time and commenced accreditation and voting without delay.
“I have voted exactly at 8:32 a.m. I want to commend INEC for a wonderful organisation. This time, they kept strictly to the timetable. Before 8:30 a.m., everything was already in place and voting had commenced,” he said.
The council chairman, who also serves as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Nasarawa State, praised the collaboration between INEC and security agencies, describing the process as orderly and credible.
He stated that reports from across Akwanga indicated that voting was proceeding peacefully and smoothly in polling units throughout the local government area.
Addressing concerns about the initial low voter turnout observed in some locations, Andaha attributed it to the early stage of the exercise.
“Voting has just started. Our people usually wait to see that the process has truly commenced before coming out. As time goes on, more voters will participate and exercise their democratic rights,” he said.
He encouraged INEC to sustain the level of professionalism demonstrated during the by-election and maintain similar standards during future elections, particularly the 2027 general elections.
The ALGON chairman also appealed to residents, especially young people, to remain peaceful, law-abiding and avoid being used by individuals seeking to disrupt the electoral process.
At Ningo Sembe Polling Unit 008 in Ningo Bohar Ward, voting commenced around 9:00 a.m., with voters arriving steadily to participate in the exercise.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart and prospective senatorial aspirant for the 2027 elections, Hon. Benbella Anthony Madaki, also commended INEC for the timely deployment of personnel and election materials.
Madaki praised the peaceful conduct of voters and urged electoral authorities to ensure that the same level of efficiency and transparency was maintained across all polling units in Wamba, Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon local government areas.
He expressed optimism that a peaceful and credible election would strengthen public confidence in the democratic process and encourage greater participation in future elections.
The by-election is being closely monitored by stakeholders and security agencies as voters continue to cast their ballots to fill the vacant senatorial seat in Nasarawa North.
