APC sweeps Gombe local government elections, winning all chairmanship and councillorship seats

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dominated the local government elections in Gombe State, Nigeria, winning every contested seat. The party secured all 24 chairmanship positions and all 240 councillorship seats in the elections held on Saturday.

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From the results we have received, APC has been declared the winner in virtually all the local governments. It also won all the 240 councillorship seats.

Abdullahi Garba, the Chairman of the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission, announced the results, confirming the APC's victory across all local government councils and wards. He described the election as a milestone, noting the expansion of the electoral process from 11 local government areas to 24 administrative councils. This expansion, approved by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, aims to bring governance closer to the populace.

Garba detailed the significant increase in positions, with chairmanship seats rising from 11 to 24 and councillorships from 114 to 240. He expressed gratitude to the governor for approving the creation of the 13 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), a move inspired by successful models in other states like Lagos.

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The last cycle of elections in 2023 was conducted in 11 local governments. But His Excellency created an additional 13 Local Council Development Areas to bring development closer to the people.

While several political parties participated, only a few fielded candidates across all the newly created councils. The APC contested the full cycle, whereas parties like the African Action Congress, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Youth Party, Zenith Labour Party, and National Rescue Movement fielded candidates in a limited number of local governments. The commission thanked all stakeholders, including political parties, observers, civil society organizations, security agencies, and the media, for contributing to a peaceful electoral process.

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It was 11 local governments then, but now we have 24. We had 114 ward councillors before, but today we have 240 councillors. I think it is a great achievement, and we say thank you to His Excellency.