The All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a clean sweep in the 2026 Kogi State local government elections, winning all 21 chairmanship positions and all 239 councillorship seats, according to results announced by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC).
Mamman Eri, chairman of KOSIEC, announced the outcome at the commission's headquarters in Lokoja on Sunday, October 18, confirming the ruling party's dominance over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all other participating parties. The elections were conducted across 239 wards and 3,508 polling units statewide.
KOSIEC Declares Results After Statewide Polls
Eri, speaking at the commission's headquarters in Lokoja, confirmed that APC candidates won every contested seat in the exercise. TVC News reported the ruling party's victory across all chairmanship and councillorship positions, a result that underscores the party's strong electoral position in the state.
The election exercise covered all 239 wards and 3,508 polling units across Kogi State. However, voter turnout was reported to be uneven across different locations observed during the polls, according to reports from the field.
Civil Society Groups Urge Greater Transparency
While civil society organisations welcomed the peaceful atmosphere that characterised the polls, they urged the commission to do more. The groups called for stronger voter sensitisation efforts and greater transparency to build public confidence in local government elections going forward.
They also pressed KOSIEC to address outstanding concerns from previous elections and take concrete steps to improve public trust ahead of future exercises. The calls come as the commission faces scrutiny over the conduct of the electoral process.
Eri praised security personnel, election observers, ad hoc staff, and other stakeholders for how they handled the process. He stated that KOSIEC remained committed to running elections that meet democratic standards.
Governor Ododo Commends Peaceful Conduct
Earlier, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo described the conduct of the local government elections across the state as peaceful. The governor gave the commendation on Saturday, October 17, shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit in Upogoro, Okene.
Describing the exercise as free and transparent, Ododo said the atmosphere marked a departure from the violence and tension that characterised previous local government elections. He noted that improved security had boosted public confidence, allowing voters to participate in the democratic process without fear.
Per Channels TV, the governor reaffirmed his administration's commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging political stakeholders and residents to sustain the peaceful atmosphere throughout the electoral process. The APC's comprehensive victory in the Kogi LG elections sets the stage for the party's continued dominance in the state's political landscape.
