The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the Labour Party, LP, candidate, Donatus Mathew, winner of the Kaura Constituency, Kaduna in the Federal House of Representatives.
Matthew, who is an Okada rider is the first LP candidate to win a legislative seat in the 2023 Reps election.
The returning officer, Professor Elijah Ella said he polled a total of 10,508 to defeat the incumbent member and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member, Hon. Gideon Lucas Gwani came second with 10,297 votes.
Professor Ella said the candidate of All Progressive Congress, APC, trailed with 9,919 votes, while that of the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP, secured 5,354 votes to come third and fourth respectively.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after declaring him the winner of the poll, the member-elect, Mathew, thanked the electorate for the confidence reposed in him to represent them at the Green Chamber.
Mathew however, solicited support and cooperation from the people, while pledging to carry everyone along to achieve the desired success.
It was gathered that he resorted to riding okada after things went awry for him following his time as a Councilor.
“Mathew didn’t do many campaigns, he has few posters and he was once a councillor during Makarfi era, but later things went bad for him. He picked up Okada business, today he’s going to the Federal House of Reps, this is what Labour Party represents. It’s a party for all, no preferential treatment.”
The incumbent legislator who is also the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Mr GideonGwani, congratulated the member-elect and wished him well.
Mr Gwani urged his supporters to remain calm and accept the will of the electorate, even as he noted that God gives and takes power to and from whomever he pleases at the appropriate time.
