Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commended the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s local government elections, crediting President Bola Tinubu’s support for security efforts and urging residents to sustain the atmosphere throughout the exercise.
Ododo spoke shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit in Upogoro, Okene, as elections were conducted across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The governor described the atmosphere as a departure from the violence and tension that had characterised some previous local government elections, saying improved security had strengthened residents’ confidence in the electoral process.
Ododo likened the exercise to a carnival rather than the tense atmosphere associated with earlier polls.
“In the past, Local Government elections used to be bloody. But we thank Mr President for giving us that confidence and supporting us to provide security for our people. You can see that Local Government elections are now just like a carnival,” he said.
The governor said his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property, adding that cooperation with the Federal Government was important to sustaining security across the state.
He also urged Nigerians to recognise the resources and sacrifices required to maintain peace, arguing that security was essential to economic activities, social interaction and democratic participation.
Election covers 21 local government areas
The local government elections were scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC).
Voting was to take place across 21 local government areas, 239 electoral wards and 3,508 polling units.
Ahead of the election, KOSIEC had called on political parties, candidates, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to work together to ensure a peaceful and credible exercise.
Ododo expressed satisfaction with the atmosphere surrounding the polls and described the process as peaceful, free and transparent.
However, his assessment reflected his observations and position as governor. A comprehensive assessment of the election’s credibility would also require information on voter participation, complaints, independent monitoring and the collation of results.
Ododo challenges opposition parties
The governor said he would not be distracted by controversies on social media, insisting that his administration’s priority was governance and the welfare of residents.
He maintained that political opposition remained an essential part of democracy but argued that opposition parties should demonstrate their contributions to the development of the state and the well-being of its people.
Ododo also expressed confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC), acknowledging Tinubu and the party’s leadership for supporting his administration’s security and development objectives.
He said he left the electoral process in the hands of election officials after voting, expressing satisfaction with the atmosphere at his polling unit.
The governor reiterated his appreciation to Tinubu, saying cooperation between the state and Federal Government was important to protecting residents and strengthening grassroots governance.
Security and electoral participation
Ododo’s remarks placed security at the centre of his assessment of the election, arguing that residents were better able to participate in democratic activities when they felt safe.
He said the confidence with which people moved around the state reflected the importance of security to daily life and economic activity.
The governor called on political stakeholders and residents to maintain peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process.
As voting and collation proceeded, the conduct of election officials, the handling of complaints and the publication of results remained important factors in determining how the exercise would be assessed beyond the initial reports of calm at polling locations.
