BOSIEC Declares APC Winner of All Chairmanship Positions in Borno

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a clean sweep in the December 13 local government elections in Borno State, winning all 27 chairmanship positions across the state. The outcome of the polls was officially confirmed on Monday in Maiduguri by the Chairman of the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC), Alhaji Tahiru Shettima, following the aggregation of results submitted by returning officers.

The announcement capped the conclusion of council elections that featured chairmanship and councillorship contests across the state’s local government areas. According to BOSIEC, the process marked the successful completion of an exercise aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and political participation in Borno State

BOSIEC Confirms Results and Election Process

Speaking at a news conference, Alhaji Tahiru Shettima said the commission formally announced the list of chairmen-elect after collating results from all 27 local government areas. He explained that the results had earlier been declared by returning officers at the local levels before being transmitted to BOSIEC headquarters for final aggregation and confirmation.

Shettima maintained that the electoral body operated within its mandate and did not place any obstacles in the way of political parties interested in participating. He noted that BOSIEC held several meetings with stakeholders ahead of the polls, adding that despite these engagements, only six political parties eventually took part in the elections.

According to him, the commission ensured that returning officers were selected based on integrity and competence. He said they were largely drawn from academic and technocratic backgrounds to enhance credibility and professionalism in the conduct of the elections.

Participation, Integrity, and Security Arrangements

The BOSIEC chairman described the elections as free, fair, inclusive, and transparent, stressing that the process was keenly contested by candidates from different parties. He attributed the smooth conduct of the polls to proper planning and cooperation among stakeholders involved in the exercise.

Shettima further acknowledged the role of security agencies, including the Armed Forces and the police, for providing adequate security throughout the election period. He said their presence helped to ensure a peaceful environment for voters, electoral officials, and party agents during the polls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the election was contested by six political parties, namely the APC, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), and People’s Redemption Party (PRP), among others.

Call for Grassroots Governance and Service Delivery

While congratulating the chairmen-elect, Shettima urged them to remain focused on their responsibilities and demonstrate commitment to improving the welfare of residents at the grassroots level. He emphasized the need for the incoming local government chairmen to prioritize the provision of social amenities and responsive governance.

He also reflected on voter turnout during the elections, noting that it underscored the importance of local government as the tier of government closest to the people. According to him, the level of participation showed that communities remained interested in political engagement at the grassroots.

Shettima expressed optimism that the elected officials would justify the confidence placed in them by their constituents and contribute to development efforts across Borno State