PDP loses first election to APC in Kwara after Saraki’s defection

Raheem Olawuyi Ajuloopin, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kwara house of representatives bye-election, has won the vacant seat for Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin federal constituency.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday night declared him the winner with 21,236 votes.

INEC chief returning officer, Abimbola Adesoji, a professor, said Saheed Damilare Alatise of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 18,095 votes.

The Labour Party had 150 votes, PPN 76 and UPN 42.

Of the 40,930 total votes cast, 39,599 were valid while 1,331 were rejected.

The by-election was called following the death of Funke Adedoyin, who was representing the constituency.

This is the first election since the godfather of Kwara politics, Senate President Bukola Saraki, defected from APC to PDP.

Although this might not define how the 2019 general election will go but many are of the opinion that this was a psychological boost for APC in the state and a set-back for PDP.