Governor speaks after casting ballot as voting continues across constituency
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has commended what he described as the peaceful conduct and voter participation recorded during the ongoing bye-election for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency.
The governor spoke on Saturday shortly after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Jekadafari Ward, Gombe Local Government Area.
Yahaya described voter participation as a demonstration of citizens’ commitment to the democratic process.
Voting underway across three LGAs
The bye-election is being conducted across Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas to fill the vacant federal constituency seat.
Reports from polling locations indicated that accreditation and voting proceeded peacefully, with electoral officials and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioning in locations visited by observers and reporters.
The election follows the death of the constituency’s former representative, Yaya Bauchi Tongo, in June 2026.
Reports differ on turnout
While Governor Yahaya described voter participation as impressive, independent reports from some polling units and election observers indicated that turnout was initially low in several locations.
INEC National Commissioner for the North-East, Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar Sadiq (retd.), said she observed low turnout at some polling units early in the voting process, although she noted that more voters began arriving later.
The difference reflects the fact that turnout varied by polling location and time of observation.
Governor urges continued participation
Yahaya’s comments came as voting remained underway, with voters casting ballots for candidates contesting the vacant federal constituency seat.
He commended voters and electoral officials for maintaining a peaceful environment and urged citizens to continue participating in the democratic process.
The final voter turnout and election result will depend on the conclusion of voting, counting and collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).