Arewa Youths Hail Zulum Over Peaceful Borno Council Polls

Members of Arewa Youths Development Initiative have attributed the success of the Borno State local government elections to the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

The group praised the peaceful, credible and transparent conduct of the polls, describing them as a milestone in the state’s democratic journey.

In a statement yesterday, the national coordinator of AYDI, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammed, said the governor provided an enabling environment, approved critical resources and ensured coordination among electoral and security agencies.

He said the elections were conducted in a calm atmosphere, with active participation by political parties, election observers, civil society groups and the Inter-Party Advisory Council.

According to him, the process reflected growing confidence in democratic institutions across the state.
AYDI said reports from its independent monitors showed that voting, counting, collation and declaration of results were peaceful across the state.

It added that areas previously affected by insecurity, including Gwoza, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Askira/Uba and Biu, recorded orderly exercises.

“Our monitors observed professionalism and orderliness throughout the exercise,” the group said.

The organisation acknowledged the declaration of results by the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission, which announced that the All Progressives Congress won all chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 27 local government areas.

It recalled that the BOSIEC chairman, Dr Tahiru Shettima, described the polls as peaceful, credible and largely hitch-free, in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

AYDI also commended special arrangements made for displaced voters from Abadam, Guzamala, Kala-Balge and Marte to vote in secure locations in Maiduguri.

The group said the use of Maiduguri as an operational hub ensured that no eligible voter was disenfranchised.

It further noted the calm acceptance of the results by opposition parties and the absence of post-election violence.

“This level of maturity shows that democracy is taking firm root in Borno State,” the statement said.

AYDI urged the newly elected council officials to prioritise good governance and deliver dividends of democracy to communities affected by insecurity and displacement.