Mark Bako Useni, the candidate representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared the winner of the recent supplementary election for the Takum, Ussa, and Donga federal constituency in Taraba State. Useni, a former speaker of the State House of Assembly, switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC and subsequently became the party’s flag bearer for the federal constituency election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Useni secured 25,929 votes, defeating opponents Istifanus Haruna Gbana of the PDP and Rimam Shawulu of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP). Returning officer Professor Luka Juma revealed that the closely contested election saw the incumbent NNPP member seeking reelection garner 25,350 votes, finishing second. The PDP candidate, who resigned as chief of staff to the current state governor to pursue the National Assembly position, came in third with 20,234 votes.
Following the announcement of the results, Useni, visibly pleased, reached out to his opponents, urging them to collaborate in the interests of the constituency and the state. He also committed to prioritizing the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the constituency.
The need for a supplementary election arose after incidents of violence marred the February National Assembly elections in some polling units within the constituency. INEC subsequently declared the affected polling units inconclusive, leading to the rerun.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the NNPP and PDP candidates will challenge the election results in the tribunal.
