The All Progressives Congress (APC) has scored a major political victory in Taraba State, clinching the Karim-Lamido I State Constituency seat in a fiercely contested by-election on Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through the Returning Officer, Mustapha Sa’ad, on Sunday declared Abner Shittu of the APC winner after he polled 5,901 votes to edge out his closest challenger, Hon. Ali Kanda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 5,527 votes.
Other parties trailed behind, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) recording 2,069 votes, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) managed 106 votes.
The by-election became necessary following the resignation of Mike Dio Jen, who vacated his seat after being appointed as a commissioner in the Taraba State Executive Council.
Political Significance
The outcome is seen as a major breakthrough for the APC in Taraba, a state long regarded as a PDP stronghold since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Political observers say the narrow margin of victory highlights the growing competitiveness of Taraba politics and may signal a shift in voter loyalty ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Analysts believe the APC’s grassroots mobilisation strategy and visible campaign outreach contributed to its success in a constituency where PDP had traditionally enjoyed dominance.
INEC Commends Stakeholders
INEC officials described the by-election as generally peaceful, crediting security agencies, party agents, and voters for ensuring an orderly process. The commission reiterated its stance against vote-buying and electoral malpractice, promising to investigate any reported irregularities.
With this victory, the APC not only strengthens its presence in the Taraba State House of Assembly but also sends a warning signal to the PDP that the political dynamics in the North-East state may be changing faster than expected.
