In line with the mandate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election within 90 days of vacancy in any elective office, Adamawa state will be going to the polls on Saturday, October 11, 2014 to fill the vacancy created by the impeachment of Murtala Nyako, former governor of the state (pictured) on July 15, 2014, and the subsequent resignation of his deputy, Bala Ngilari.

The winner of the October 11 election will complete Nyako’s original tenure, which ends in May, 2015. This means that the state will conduct another gubernatorial election during the 2015 general election, which is only four months away. Highlighted below are some noteworthy facts and figures about Saturday’s bye-election.

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Seven candidates are contesting the election on the platforms of seven political parties. These were listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla (All Progressives Congress, APC), Aminu Hamman-Joda Furo (All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA), Aminu Dahiru Abubakar Waziri (KOWA Party), Abdulnasir Umar Hamman (Mega Progressive Peoples Party), Mohammed Adamu Malgwi (National Conscience Party, NCP), Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) and Amos Yusuf Sunday (Peoples Party of Nigeria).

The PDP candidate, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and the APC candidate, Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla, are apparently the two heavyweights in the contest. Fintiri stands on a higher pedestal than other aspirants by virtue of his position as the acting governor of the state, an office he assumed after the impeachment of the governor and resignation of the deputy governor. Fintiri has toured the local governments of the state, commissioning projects and promising to bring more dividends of democracy to the state if elected. Jibrilla, on the other hand, is a serving senator representing Adamawa Northern District. He also wields considerable influence and is doing everything to ensure victory in the election. In Nigeria, the incumbent is always the likeliest winner. Will this be validated again in Adamawa? On Saturday, the state will decide.

Atiku campaigning for the APC candidate, Bindow

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The electorate will cast their votes across 21 local governments of the state. These are: Demsa, Fufore, Ganye, Girei, Gombi, Guyuk, Hong, Jada, Lamurde, Madagali, Maiha, Mayo-Belwa, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Numan, Shelleng, Song, Toungo, Yola North and Yola South.

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There are 2,609 polling units with 5,166 voting points.

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INEC has accredited 24 domestic organisations and seven domestic organisations to serve as observers for the bye-election. The domestic observers include Youth Initiative for Advocacy and Advancement, Police Service Commission, Election Monitor, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Centre for Policy Advocacy And Leadership Development, Centre For Civic Education also known as Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Justice and Equity Organisation, National Association for Peaceful Elections, Research Initiative for Sustainable Development and Gender Awareness, Women Arise for Change Initiative and Alliance for Credible Election.

Others are Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room (Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Human Rights Monitor, Independent Election Monitoring Group, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment, Reclaim Naija, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, National Institute for Legislative Studies, Centre for Democracy and Development, New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) Nigeria, and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

The international organisations accredited for the election are European Union Delegation to Nigeria, United States Mission to Nigeria, British High Commission, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), UNDP/DGP, UN Women and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Abuja.

PDP candidate, Ahmadu Fintiri

1,529,636

The total of registered voters expected to determine the outcome of the bye-election.

Yola North has the highest number of registered voters with 142,419 voters across 11 wards, 167 polling units and 480 voting points. Yola South boasts of 103,189 voters across 11 wards, 141 polling units and 343 voting points.

At Mubi North, 103,038 people are expected to vote across 11 wards, 173 polling units and 349 voting points, while at Mubi South, 58,049 are expected to participate across 10 wards, 101 polling units and 192 voting points.

A total of 92,086 voters are expected to vote across 12 wards, 140 polling units and 308 voting points in Hong while Jada features 83,295 voters across 11 wards, 154 polling units and 282 voting points.

The details are highlighted below: