By Luka Binniyat
Results, from many polling units in the Southern Local Governments Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State, and in Some LGAs of Central and Northern Senatorial Zone, indicate an early lead for Governor Patrick Yakowa, the Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

All over the state, election materials were delivered on time, with accreditation and voting starting on schedule in a peaceful atmosphere. But, in most local government areas, underage voting was reported in some places.

The Governor’s hottest rival is Mallam Haruna Sa’eed Kajuru of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Other contestants are: Senator Ahmed Aruwa, of the All Nigerian peoples Party (ANPP), Alh. Balarabe Musa (former Governor of Kaduna state) of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Sani Shaban of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo voted at his Camp Road polling unit around 1:35pm Thursday in a very serene and organised setting, far from the rowdy scene that visited his voting in the last Presidential election. The rowdy youth that had besieged the place in support of the CPC, were absent, as voting went on smoothly.

Yakowa voted at his Fadan Kagoma, primary School polling unit, in Fadan Kagoma, about 300Km South of Kaduna, the State Capital.

Yakowa told the Press after voting that he was impressed with voters’ turnout and exuded confidence that he would win the election.

“I am happy with the turnout of voters. I encourage all residents of the state to sustain the peace we are enjoying. I want to assure all that we are going to run a government for all when returned to power. And I am confident that the PDP will win again”, he said.

Early reports said Tudun Wada constituency, in Kaduna North LGA, a strong ward of the CPC, was won by the PDP.

Reports had it that Tudun Wada State Constituency went to the PDP with a total votes of 45,233 while the CPC got 38, 318 votes. The ACN, and the ANPP got 3,194 and 2,167 respectively.

In Sabon Gari LGA in Zaria, the PDP is reported to be ahead.

In all the polling units that Vanguard visited in the Southern LGAs of the state, the PDP was leading by very wide margin.

For example, in Zamababo 031 pulling unit, and Magamiya Polling unti 012 in Zangon Kataf LGA, the PDP scored 763;  815 as against 2  and 5, 0  for the CPC, ANPP,  and the ACN .

The same is replicated in Jaba, Sanga and Kauru LGAs

In Jema’a LGA, where the CPC had showed a strong outing in the last two elections in Kafanchan Urban ward, the last violence led to mass exodus of voters. Those that are left behind showed a strong voter apathy. The outing was not encouraging.

But, in all, the conduct of  last elections was peaceful and calm, up to the time that collation of votes started around 4pm in most collation centres in the state