By Muhammad Mamman
August 16, 2025 — Hussaini Mohammed Jalo, the House of Representatives member for Chikun Federal Constituency, lauded the orderly conduct of Saturday’s bye-election in Kaduna State, expressing optimism about increasing voter participation as the day progresses.
Speaking to reporters at LEA Primary School in Narayi, Chikun Local Government Area, Jalo noted that while voter turnout started slowly, it was steadily gaining momentum. “Voters are coming out, but not as expected. We believe in the next hour or two, the turnout will improve. So far, so good,” he said, after monitoring polling stations across the constituency.
Jalo, who has been on the ground since Friday night, praised the robust security presence, highlighting the absence of any disturbances. “The security situation is perfect. I’ve been here since yesterday, and everywhere I visited is calm. Security agents are doing very well, and the election is proceeding smoothly,” he told CNN.
The lawmaker also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its performance but pointed out a minor issue with damaged cubicle boxes at some polling stations. “INEC’s performance is good in all the places I visited, but I’d urge them to improve the quality of cubicle boxes for future elections,” Jalo said.
Addressing voters in Chikun and across Kaduna State, Jalo emphasized the importance of civic participation. “I urge voters to come out en masse. It’s their fundamental right, enshrined in the Constitution and the Electoral Act, to elect a representative of their choice,” he said.
The bye-election in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency follows the vacancy of seats declared by INEC, amid heightened political tensions and accusations among major parties. Security forces have maintained a strong presence to ensure a peaceful process, with no reported incidents as voting continues.
