By Peter Onyekachukwu 
From Peter Onyekachukwu, Jalingo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Abner Shittu, winner of the Karim 1 State Constituency by-election held on Saturday in Taraba State.
Shittu polled a total of 5,901 votes to defeat his closest rival, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 5,527 votes.
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third with 2,069 votes, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) finished fourth with 106 votes.
The by-election was conducted to fill the vacant seat left by Mr. Dio Jen, who resigned as a member of the State House of Assembly after accepting an appointment as Commissioner and member of the Taraba State Executive Council.
The contest was described by observers as keenly fought, with both the APC and PDP mobilising massive support to secure victory in the constituency.
Political watchers in Taraba noted that the defeat of the PDP, which has governed the state since 1999, could serve as a warning sign for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.