Kaduna, Kogi Hold Local Government Election Today, Plateau To Conduct Rerun

Voters in Kaduna and Kogi states are set to cast their ballots today for new local government chairmen and councillors, as confirmed by the electoral commissions of both states.

In Kaduna, the Commissioner for Public Affairs and Information, Professor Joseph Gambo, announced that a total of 79 chairmanship candidates from 10 political parties, including the APGA, APC, PDP, NNPP, PRP, LP, YPP, ADC, ZLP, and AA, have been cleared to participate in the elections.

However, the process has not been without controversy. The opposition, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed concerns regarding the electoral integrity and comments made by Governor Uba Sani during the campaign launch at Murtala Square.

The governor, a member of the ruling APC, declared confidently that his party would win all contested positions, a statement that has further escalated tensions among rival political factions.

In response to these developments, the PDP and other opposition parties have alleged that the Kaduna State House of Assembly attempted to amend the electoral law, perceiving this as an effort to manipulate the election process. APC leaders have vehemently denied these allegations.

Meanwhile, in Kogi State, the government has imposed a restriction on vehicular movement from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today to ensure a smooth electoral process and enhance voter security across its 21 local government areas.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, emphasized that security agencies have been instructed to enforce this restriction strictly, warning of penalties for violators.

The government has encouraged residents to participate actively in the elections and assured them of adequate security at polling stations.

Additionally, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) will conduct rerun elections for councillorship positions in nine wards across six local government areas today. These reruns were prompted by irregularities during the local government elections held last Wednesday.

Elections will take place in 112 polling units from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, despite a call from the APC for its members to boycott the election, citing the government’s alleged disregard for democratic principles and the will of the people.