The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared former Taraba State House of Assembly Speaker Hon Mark Bako Useni, winner of the supplementary election for House of Representative to represent Ussa, Donga, Takum federal constituency. The keenly contested election saw Useni of the All Progressive Congress (APC) emerge victorious with 25,929 votes, followed by Hon Riman Shaulu of the New Nigerians People’s Party (NNPP) with 25,350 votes, and Hon Istifanus Gbana of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 20,234 votes.
Prof. Luka Juma, the returning officer for the Ussa, Takum, Donga federal constituency, declared the results of the election. Useni, who has represented the people of Takum II for three terms at the Taraba State House of Assembly, was once the speaker of the house until his election to the national assembly. In his acceptance speech, Useni urged his opponents to join hands with him to serve the people better.
Useni stated that the area where he was elected to represent in the national assembly was the most disastrous area in terms of insecurity and displacement of persons. He further said he would prioritize the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the area, enabling them to empower themselves and go about their normal activities.
The supplementary election held on April 15, 2023, was keenly contested. Meanwhile, in the re-run election for the Kalrim Lamido II Taraba state constituency, Anas Shuaibu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was declared the winner. Dr. Bawuro Manga, the returning officer from Federal University Wukari, declared that Anas Shuaibu of APGA polled 7,104 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Bobbo Bello Bendu of the PDP, who came second with 6,508 votes
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has conducted a free, fair and credible election in Taraba State. The victory of Hon Mark Bako Useni and Anas Shuaibu shows the importance of peaceful elections and the need for all candidates to respect the will of the people. The people of Ussa, Donga, Takum federal constituency and Kalrim Lamido II Taraba state constituency have spoken with their votes, and it is now time for the elected representatives to serve their constituents