By joshua Kogi LG Polls: Engr. Bashiru Gegu Hails KOSIEC, Ododo Over Peaceful Conduct, Says Exercise Is Microphone-testing For Tinubu, Ododo Victories
….Says Kogi Remains 100% APC State, Congratulates Kabba-Bunu Chairman-elect, All Winners
The Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engr. Bashiru Abubakar Gegu, has commended the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) for the peaceful, credible and successful conduct of the 2026 Local Government Council elections.
Engr. Gegu also congratulated the Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, noting that the historic, violence-free exercise is happening in his time, a testament to his purposeful and inclusive leadership.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday, the Commissioner described Saturday’s polls held across the 21 Local Government Areas, 239 wards and 3,508 polling units as a model of grassroots democracy and a clear confirmation that Kogi State is 100% APC.
“Under Governor Ododo, all tiers of government in Kogi are fully democratized and run by the government of the people. From the National Assembly to the Governorship and down to Council Chairmanship and Councillorship, every mandate is secured through the ballot. That is the APC way in Kogi,” Engr. Gegu stated.
He praised KOSIEC under the Chairmanship of Hon. Mamman Nda Eri for its professionalism, timely release of timetable, extensive voter education and broad stakeholder engagement, which ensured no political party had cause to fault the process in court.
“Governor Ododo deserves special commendation for providing the logistics, the funds and above all, a free hand for KOSIEC to operate. He put the Commission on its toes early in the year when it became clear the tenure of the outgoing Chairmen would wind up this last quarter. Without that enabling environment, KOSIEC would have been helpless,” he said.
According to Engr. Gegu, the peaceful conduct of the election, with all registered political parties participating and security agencies maintaining alertness without a single case of violence, has again positioned Kogi as a leading light in local government elections in Nigeria.
He described the Council polls as a successful “microphone-testing” by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of bigger contests.
“What happened yesterday was APC testing the microphone. The massive turnout, the peace, the orderliness and the overwhelming acceptance of our party at the grassroots is a foretaste of what is to come in January and beyond for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and for Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo,” Engr. Gegu declared.
“The outcome is a clear signal. Kogi is ready to deliver overwhelmingly for President Tinubu’s re-election and for Governor Ododo’s continuity. If we can mobilize this peacefully and massively for Council polls, January will be a carnival of victory for APC at the presidential and governorship levels.”
The Commissioner, who is also a leader of the APC mobilization structure in Kogi West, said the result reflects the people’s trust in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and the Consolidation Agenda of Governor Ododo, especially in the areas of road infrastructure, salary regularity, security and inclusion of non-indigenes.
He congratulated all winners of the exercise, particularly the Chairman-elect of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area and Councillors-elect across the 21 LGAs, urging them to see their victory as a call to deepen service delivery at the grassroots in line with the Governor’s directive.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources and the good people of Kogi Local Government, I congratulate all our newly elected Chairmen and Councillors. You are now the direct pillars of democracy. Go and justify the confidence reposed in you,” he added.
Engr. Gegu concluded that the peaceful polls have once again proved that Kogi is democratically compliant, peaceful and solidly APC, courtesy of the leadership of Governor Ododo.
“Kogi is APC and APC is Kogi. What you saw on Saturday is just the rehearsal. The real show is the resounding victory that awaits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he stated.