By Juliet Samson, Abuja
The Jalingo, Yorro, and Zing (JYZ) Federal Constituency by-election is set to take place in less than 24 days.
Candidates and their supporters of various political parties have now shifted their attention to their respective campaign activities, following the conduct of primary elections by almost all the major political parties that will participate in the race.
While some candidates were elected by defeating their opponents, others were nominated based on consensus.
The focus of the majority of people has been on the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), which produced its former candidate who contested for the Taraba North Senatorial seat in the 2023 election, Hon. Aminu Abdu Liman, as its candidate for the JYZ bye-election.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) nominated Hon. Sadiq Abbas Tafida, who is the son of a First-Class Monarch of the Muri Emirate Council.
On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress (APC) elected Hon. Aminu Ibrahim Malle, a former member who had previously represented the constituency, while the Action Alliance (AA) party nominated Hon. Munneer Adamu Kofi as its candidate.
However, political analysts have predicted that one of the opposition parties may win the election.
According to Mr. Yakubu Jonah, a political analyst, and Hajiya Jummai Mai Jama’a, a grassroots politician, the game would change considering the current political arena in the state.
Mr. Jonah believed that among the other opposition political parties including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), one would win the battle, while Hajiya Mai Jama’a predicted that the SDP, which produced Hon. Innocent Umar Jabayang as its candidate, might end up winning the election based on what she called “a reality analysis”.
Mr. Yakubu Jonah and Hajiya Jummai Mai Jama’a opined that some factors must play a vital role during the conduct of the bye-election that will influence the victory of one of the opposition parties in the state.
It is, however, worthy to note that in all their post-election speeches during the primaries, everyone who emerged winner was delighted with the process and was optimistic about becoming victorious in the bye-election, vowed to contribute to the fight against banditry and kidnapping, as well as provide a dividend of democracy to the constituents.
It is also worth noting that certain members who have expressed dissatisfaction with their respective parties are viewed as significant by some political analysts.
Consequently, it is believed that their actions may have an impact on the current political climate.
As the candidates are set to kick up their campaigns to canvass for votes from the electorates of the JYZ Federal Constituency, the answer to the question of who is more advantageous in winning the election will only be answered by time, as the election is scheduled for February 3rd, 2024.
