By Abraham Abubakar
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), on Saturday, 17 October 2026, successfully conducted Local Government elections across the state’s 21 Local Government Areas and 239 electoral wards, electing Chairmen and Councillors in a process widely described as peaceful and orderly.
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, 18 October 2026, KOSIEC Chairman Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, formally announced the consolidated official results after receiving and verifying returns from Returning Officers.
He confirmed the successful candidates as duly returned in accordance with electoral laws and guidelines. Detailed results, including names of winners, their parties and respective local governments and wards, will be released through the Commission’s official channels.
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“From the commencement of preparations, KOSIEC remained guided by one fundamental principle: the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, must be respected,” Eri said. He congratulated the winners, reminding them that victory is a solemn call to service requiring humility, fairness, accountability and commitment to the people’s welfare. He also commended unsuccessful contestants for their participation and urged them to pursue any grievances through lawful means, including the election tribunal.
Preparations culminated in the days leading up to the polls. On 15 October, Eri met election observers at the Commission’s headquarters in Lokoja and charged them to remain professional, impartial and focused. He warned against interfering in the process or making premature pronouncements that could spread rumours or create tension. Observers were permitted to photograph and document events but instructed to provide objective reports to help improve future elections. He clarified that voters already on queues at the 3:00 p.m. closing time should be allowed to vote, declared vote buying an electoral offence, and noted that results would be declared at polling units, wards and local government levels before formal transmission to the Commission.
Comrade Idris Miliki, Chairman of the Forum of Election Observers in Nigeria (Kogi State Chapter), urged observers to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act and codes of conduct, arrive early at polling units, remain security-conscious and produce reports that identify challenges with practical recommendations. He also called on KOSIEC to ensure materials reached distribution centres by 8:00 a.m. on election day.
The following day, 16 October, KOSIEC distributed sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the 21 Local Government Areas. Addressing electoral officers in Lokoja, Eri stressed neutrality and transparency, noting that 13 political parties were participating. He expressed hope for high turnout, urged voters to exercise their franchise, and cautioned officers against provocative actions while advising aggrieved parties to approach the tribunal rather than take the law into their own hands. Observers were instructed not to interfere with electoral officers’ duties. The Kogi State Government declared Friday a public holiday to allow workers prepare for the polls.
On election day itself, Eri monitored voting in several Lokoja wards and polling units, including Crowther Memorial College (Ward A), Kabawa Open Space (Ward E), and Anguwan Kura (Ward D). He described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, attributing strong turnout and improved voter education to sustained engagement with political parties during stakeholders’ meetings. “At the end of the exercise, the will of the people will prevail,” he said, stressing that democracy remains the best way of engaging the populace in governance. The process, he noted, had begun about 360 days earlier and would culminate in results declaration later that day.
Mr. Joseph Aremu, Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission and part of a peer-review delegation under the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria, observed that voters were well enlightened on their civic rights. He commended the provision of separate queues for men and women in line with cultural considerations under the electoral law, as well as the visible presence of security personnel from the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Alhaji Abdulrahman Oseni, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairmanship candidate for Lokoja Local Government Area, voted at his polling unit and expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.
In his broadcast, Eri appreciated Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for institutional support, and thanked security agencies, political parties, candidates, election observers, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, the media and all stakeholders. He specially recognised the dedication of KOSIEC Commissioners, Electoral Officers, Returning Officers, Presiding Officers, ad hoc staff and the entire workforce. Above all, he thanked the people of Kogi State for exercising their democratic rights.
“Elections are not a battle between enemies. They are a democratic contest among citizens who share a common destiny,” Eri concluded.
He called on all citizens, political leaders and supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding and united, noting that the greater task of building stronger communities and improving lives now lies ahead. KOSIEC, he affirmed, remains committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process and strengthening grassroots democracy.
The 2026 Kogi Local Government elections mark another chapter in the state’s efforts to deepen democracy at the grassroots level.
