Niger Election - APC Sweeps Local Government Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared all the positions in the 25 local government areas in an election held in Niger State.

Low turnout and late arrival of electoral materials characterised the local government elections, as electorates and party agents blamed neglect and ill-treatment on some alleged quarters on Saturday.

Although, the election was relatively peaceful in most of the centres visited by Channels Television’s correspondent, there was low turnout of voters as some of them were accredited and didn’t come out to vote.

“Very Unfortunate”

The two former Nigerian leaders in the State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar did not come out to vote, but investigation revealed that General Ibrahim Babangida was out of the country for medical checkup.

Investigation further revealed that the two leaders don’t come out to exercise their franchise in most of the local government elections conducted in the past.

The immediate past Governor, Muazu Aliyu, was also absent in his country home of Minna for the election.

The Niger East Senatorial District Senator, Mr David Umaru, also did not come out to vote.

The Niger State Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Tanko Beji, while leaving the office of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) described the local government election as “very unfortunate”.

Mr Beji, after hearing some results on Sunday, expressed displeasure in the results announced, adding that he would consult the party before would take a stand later on the matter.

The local governments results collected from the various council returning officers were: Agaie, Chanchaga, Bosso, Lavun, Mokwa, Edati, Magama, Munya, Pailkoro and Rafi.

Others were: Rijau, Shiroro, Tafa, Bida, Wushishi, Gbako, Mariga, Lapai, Gurara, Borgu, Agwara, and Katcha Local Government Areas.

The only local government result being awaited was Kontagora, the country home of the State Governor.


Meanwhile election could not hold in Suleja Local Government Area due to perceived crisis in the area. It was rescheduled to hold on Saturday, January 23.

Source: Channels News