Saraki condemns outcome of Kwara LG elections

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed his disappointment over the results of the just concluded local government elections in Kwara State, criticizing the process as lacking legitimacy and the mandate of the people.

Saraki’s remarks come after the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) declared candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners of all 16 local government chairmanship seats, as well as all 193 councillorship positions across the state.

Baba Okanla, the KWSIEC chairman, announced the clean sweep by the APC, but Saraki, in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, condemned the conduct of the elections. He argued that the outcome did not reflect the will of the people, accusing the state government of failing to deliver meaningful progress in its 64 months in office.

The former governor of Kwara State emphasized that the people of the state had mobilized themselves to polling units for the election on Saturday, only to be met with the absence of electoral officials and what he described as poor preparation by the state’s electoral body. He hailed the people for standing firm in the face of what he referred to as “deliberately concocted frustrations” aimed at suppressing their votes.

“Last Saturday, in a manner that transcended partisan lines and reflected the protection of community interests, the people of Kwara mobilized themselves to the polling units. Unfortunately, they were met with the absence of electoral officials and shoddy preparations by the electoral body,” Saraki wrote.

He continued, “Whatever results the electoral body eventually declared, our people have sent a clear signal to a government that has failed to make any significant, positive impact on their lives after 64 months in office. It is regrettable that the 16 local government areas are now saddled with chairmen and councillors who will serve without legitimacy or the people’s mandate.”

https://x.com/bukolasaraki/status/1838950559199424625?t=PwXDsE7kH6iMPwYCRJJQPw&s=19