The local government elections in Kwara State have sparked controversy, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) claiming victory in all 16 local councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged protests against the election results.
Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) Chairman Alhaji Mohammed Baba-Okanla announced on Sunday that the APC won both the chairmanship and councillorship elections across all local government areas and 193 wards. In response, PDP members gathered at the KWASIEC office in Ilorin, voicing their discontent and alleging electoral malpractice.
Protesters held placards that read: “Kwara people say no to continuation of bad governance led by APC,” and “KWASIEC robbed PDP in Kwara LG elections,” among other slogans. Former commissioner Hajia Saratu Adebayo, who led the protest, accused KWASIEC of manipulating the results to favor the APC, claiming that the PDP had actually won the elections.
Adebayo stated, “KWASIEC, in collaboration with the state government and the APC, changed and stole the votes of the people of Kwara State.” She emphasized that while the PDP was unhappy with the electoral process, they remained committed to peaceful protest and urged KWASIEC to rectify the situation.
On the other hand, the APC praised the electorate for their support and peaceful conduct during the elections. In a statement from the party’s chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, the APC expressed gratitude for the large turnout and the confidence shown in their candidates.
The APC’s statement highlighted their successful performance across the local councils and commended KWASIEC for its management of the election process, including handling late arrival of materials. The party also condemned what it described as the PDP’s attempts to disrupt the elections and accused them of failing to prevent the electoral process through legal means.
As tensions continue to rise between the two parties, the controversy surrounding the election results underscores the deepening political divide in Kwara State.
