APC wins ALL 23 LGAs in Kaduna council poll

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all 23 chairperson seats in the LGA election held in Kaduna state on Saturday.

Hajara Muhammad, the chairperson of the Kaduna state Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM), announced the results.

“The electoral officers and returning officers have filed their reports, and at the end of the exercise, the 23 local government returning officers and 255 ward returning officers have declared results in the respective constituencies and submitted their results in accordance with the law and alongside the electoral officers,” Muhammad said.

“By the power vested on the commission, I hereby wish to confirm that the results earlier collected and returned by the returning officers. I’m confirming thus as follows: APC won the 23 local government chairmanship positions and the 255 ward councillorship positions across the state.”

Earlier, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections across the state.

Sani spoke after casting his vote at the LEA Kawo polling unit O47, Kawo.

He said the elections were free, fair, and peaceful, with only minor issues reported in three polling units and wards.

The governor emphasised the importance of LG elections, stating that the turnout across the 23 council areas was satisfactory.

He added that the APC had campaigned extensively throughout the state.

Ahead of the elections, the Kaduna house of assembly refuted claims that it planned to amend the state’s LG electoral law.

On Tuesday, Edward Masha, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna, expressed concerns over the credibility of the council polls.

Masha alleged that the assembly was working to amend provisions related to the declaration of results and the appointment of collation officers.

The PDP chair also said that his party would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the electoral process.

In response, Henry Marah, chair of the house committee on information, dismissed the allegations, stating that there was no such amendment listed on the assembly’s order paper for October 9.

Marah clarified that some adjustments had been made to laws governing the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) before the assembly’s recess.

He said the decision was made in response to specific issues that arose, including the logistical difficulties surrounding electronic voting.

The lawmaker added that the amended law allows the commission to collate and announce results at its head office or other designated locations “if security concerns arise”.