LOKOJA, Kogi State, October 18, 2026 – The All Progressives Congress, APC, has won all 21 local government chairmanship positions and 239 councillorship seats in the Kogi State local government elections held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, KOSIEC, Mamman Nda-Eri, announced the results at the commission’s headquarters in Lokoja after the completion of collation across the state.
The results gave the ruling APC victory in all chairmanship and councillorship contests across the state’s 21 local government areas and 239 electoral wards.
The election was scheduled to take place across 3,508 polling units, with political parties competing for the available grassroots government positions. The commission had announced preparations for the exercise in the weeks leading up to the poll, with calls for peaceful participation and cooperation among political parties, security agencies, observers and voters.
During the announcement, Eri commended security personnel, election observers, electoral officials, journalists and other stakeholders for their roles during the exercise. He described the process as peaceful and said the commission remained committed to conducting elections in line with the applicable electoral laws and guidelines.
The commission had earlier reported that election materials were delivered to polling units and that voting and collation were conducted across the state. However, media reports indicated that voter turnout varied in the locations observed during the exercise.
The sweeping victory means the APC secured every chairmanship and councillorship position contested in the election, leaving opposition parties without any of the 260 seats.
The outcome places the APC in control of all local government councils in Kogi State, although the practical impact of the results will depend on how the incoming chairmen and councillors carry out their responsibilities at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, civil society groups reportedly welcomed the peaceful conduct of the election but called for stronger voter education and greater transparency in future electoral exercises. They urged KOSIEC to address concerns associated with previous polls and strengthen public confidence in the local government electoral process.
The calls for increased transparency underscore the importance of public trust in elections conducted by state independent electoral commissions, particularly as local governments are responsible for delivering essential services and development projects within communities.
The outgoing local government chairmen and councillors were sworn into office on October 23, 2024, for a two-year tenure under the state’s electoral framework. The conclusion of the latest election is expected to pave the way for the transition to the newly elected councils.
KOSIEC is expected to communicate further details concerning the issuance of certificates of return and the formal transition arrangements for the successful candidates.
The election results mark a comprehensive victory for the APC in Kogi’s local government elections, while renewed calls for voter sensitisation, transparency and accountability are expected to remain part of discussions surrounding grassroots democratic governance in the state.
