The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recorded a clean sweep in the just-concluded local government elections across Taraba State’s 16 local government areas, securing all chairmanship and councillorship positions.
The polls, conducted on Saturday, were largely uncontested after several opposition parties withdrew from the race, citing dissatisfaction with the electoral guidelines issued by the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC).
TSIEC Declares PDP Victorious Across the Board
Announcing the official results on Sunday, Philip Duwe, Chairman of TSIEC, declared PDP candidates winners in all categories. He described the election as peaceful and credible, commending voters for their orderly conduct throughout the process.
“The election was peaceful, transparent, and reflected the wishes of the electorate,” Duwe told journalists in Jalingo.
According to him, the exercise proceeded smoothly across all 16 local government areas, with no major incidents reported.
Opposition Parties Pull Out Before Polls
Prior to the election, at least seven political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), pulled out of the contest in protest against what they described as unfavourable electoral guidelines.
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The APC had initially challenged the TSIEC’s procedures in court but later withdrew its case. Party sources reportedly linked the withdrawal to ongoing political realignments within the state, including speculation that Governor Agbu Kefas and some PDP stalwarts may defect to the APC.
Certificates of Return Presented to Winners
Following the announcement of results, TSIEC presented Certificates of Return to all newly elected local government chairmen and councillors on Sunday, confirming their victory and authorizing them to assume office.
The PDP’s dominance in the poll consolidates its control over Taraba’s local government system, though analysts note that the absence of opposition participation limited the competitiveness of the exercise.
Meanwhile, political observers continue to watch developments surrounding the rumoured defection of Governor Kefas, which could further reshape the political landscape in Taraba State ahead of future elections.
