LG Poll:Gombe APC wins big, clears 11 LGA chairmanship, 114 Councillorship seats
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GSIEC), on Saturday, announced the results of the Local Government poll, recently conducted, declaring All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the eleven LG seats.
Declaring the results at School of Nursing, venue of the state collation, chairman of the commission, Saidu Awak, said the winners polled the highest ballot.
Awak who did not mention the margin between the winners and the runner up stated that the election is in accordance with section 26, sub section 1 and 2.
He said, “I wish to express my gratitude to security and law enforcement agents,members of press and the entire members of the commission for their endurance, patience, and nerve when they were afraid. The commission wishes to thank the entire people of the state for their patience in the face of today’s difficulty and economic hardship, despite the second wave of covid-19 they came out to give the electoral process support.
“The law establishing this commission empowers the presiding officers at polling units, wards and the local government returning officers at local government collation centres, who are electoral officers to announce results at their respective areas and the results have already been returned.”
Earlier, Gombe state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, exercised his franchise in the local government election alongside other voters.
Yahaya who voted at Kofar Y. Umaru, ward 07 Jekadafari, polling unit 10, with total polling population of 1, 373.
The governor who expressed confidence in the process, stated that he is convinced with fillers from other areas where election is being held on the smooth conduct.
He said, “So far I can say, so very good the reports we received are indicative of the real situation on the ground.
“People are conducting themselves peacefully, harmoniously and election is going on very well. We thank God and the effort of the people.
“People should remain calm and resolute, because it is what they want that they will get, for sure there is no problem and we know where we are heading to.”
While bemoaning the dearth in the compliance of coronavirus in the exercise amidst upsurge in the pandemic, Yahaya advised voters to adhere.
“My only observation is the covid-19 protocols, I will like to advice that the people comply with the protocols, so that we don’t encourage a spike,” the governor added.
On his part, Abdullahi Hussaini, member of civil society consortium expressed optimism on the electoral process.
Hussaini said, “As you can see the exercise has witnessed high voter turnout, it is peaceful and credible. I have been here since 7:30am and voting proper began at 10am.”
Meanwhile, The deputy governor, Dr. Manassah Jatau, was part of early callers in Kulani polling unit, Balanga LGA, of the state.
He stressed that the exercise is in line with democratic provisions.
According to Jatau, “As you can see the exercise is peaceful here, I expect it to be peaceful in any other place. From what I see here Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission is well prepared.”
While answering question on how the opposition may raise questions about the results and conduct of the exercise, Jatau added, “Complaints are necessary any politician that loses there is one reason or the other. So complaints are not new, If they raise eyebrows we did it, we have lost elections in the past and we have done it and if they do it now it not new.”
