The Speaker House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has retained his seat as member representing Bogoro/Dass/ Tafawa-Balewa Federal Constituency in Bauchi.

Announcing the results of the just concluded elections, INEC Returning Officer in the constituency, Prof. Mohammed Abdulhamid, said in Zwall, the collation centre, on Sunday, that Dogara polled 73,609 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Alhaji Dalhatu Kantana of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 50,078 votes, and six other candidates.

He commended the electorate for their orderly conduct, saying the exercise was transparent and hitch-free.

In a statement on Sunday, Dogara dedicated his victory to God and his constituents.

“I dedicate this victory to God first and our ever peace loving and resilient people of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency who defied all odds to return me to the House of Representatives for an unprecedented 4th term,” he said.

The speaker noted that with his re-election, history had been made “in Nigeria by breaking a jinx that has plagued the House of Representatives since 1st Assembly as no presiding officer (both Speaker & Deputy Speaker) had ever been re-elected to the House.”

He said this was made possible by his people’s “uncommon courage, sacrifice and patience in the face of unwarranted provocation, threat and intimidation, and attempts to subvert their will by undemocratic forces.”

According to him, Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa has also set a record as the first in Bauchi state to return a member to the House of Representatives for fourth consecutive term.

“Thanks to many friends and supporters who contributed immensely in making this history possible. Together we shall continue to defy evil and make Nigeria work again,” he said.

With this victory, Dogara will be representing his constituency for the fourth consecutive time.

He was elected for the first time in 2007 and has so far spent 12 years as member of the House. (NAN)