ADC demands cancellation of Yobe LG elections over alleged irregularities six months later
On Monday, December 2, 2024, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State called for the cancellation of the June 2024 local government elections, citing alleged irregularities during the election process. The party’s Yobe State Chairman, Umar Kalli Alhaji, made the demand during a press briefing in Damaturu, claiming that the State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) had denied the ADC the opportunity to participate in the elections.
Alhaji alleged that YSIEC had violated the 2022 Electoral Act by failing to notify political parties about the elections six months in advance, which would have allowed them to submit their candidates for chairmanship and councillor positions. He stated, “It is important to know that ADC, as a registered political party, has not been properly informed by the YSIEC about the local government election, which is a violation of the 2022 Electoral Act.”
The ADC Chairman also mentioned that the party’s case against YSIEC is currently pending in the high court, challenging the legitimacy of the election process in Yobe State.
In response to the allegations, YSIEC Chairman Mamman Mohammad denied any knowledge of the court case and explained that the election date had been extended by two weeks. He added, “During this period, the commission did not receive any complaints from the ADC indicating their unwillingness to participate in the election.”
In the June 2024 local government elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State won all 17 local government chairmanship seats and all 178 councillorship seats in the state.
