By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has swept all 21 chairmanship and 239 councillorship seats in the Kogi State local government elections held on Saturday, October 17.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Hon. Mamman Nda-Eri, announced the results at a press conference at the commission’s headquarters in Lokoja, confirming the ruling party’s victory across all 21 local government areas and 239 electoral wards.
Nda-Eri said the election was conducted across 3,508 polling units in the state, adding that collation of results from all 21 local government areas had been concluded.
He declared the APC candidates winners of all the contests after securing the highest number of valid votes, in accordance with the applicable electoral laws.
“Having fulfilled all requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of valid votes cast, candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are hereby declared winners and returned elected as Chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas and Councillors of the 239 Wards of Kogi State,” he said.
The KOSIEC chairman described the exercise as peaceful, free, fair and credible, saying it was conducted in line with the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2025, and the Electoral Act, 2022.
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Nda-Eri urged the elected chairmen and councillors to see their victories as a responsibility to serve the people rather than merely a political achievement.
He called on the winners to prioritise accountability, effective service delivery and the welfare of their constituents, stressing that electoral victory carried an obligation to meet the expectations of the electorate.
According to him, the commission received and verified official returns submitted by authorised returning officers before confirming the successful candidates in their respective local government areas and wards.
He said KOSIEC’s responsibility was to provide a transparent electoral process through which citizens could freely choose their representatives, adding that the will of the electorate must be respected.
Nda-Eri also commended candidates who lost the election for participating in the democratic process, urging them to pursue any grievances through lawful channels.
He said democracy flourished when political actors respected electoral rules and handled disagreements through established legal procedures.
The commission’s chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing institutional support for the exercise.
He also acknowledged the contributions of security agencies, political parties, candidates, election observers, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, the media and other stakeholders.
Nda-Eri further commended KOSIEC commissioners, electoral officers, returning officers, presiding officers, ad-hoc personnel and other staff for their contributions to the exercise.
He appealed to political leaders, party supporters and residents to maintain peace and unity, warning against treating electoral contests as battles between enemies.
The chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy, saying the responsibility of building stronger communities and improving residents’ living conditions rested on all stakeholders.