The Peoples Democratic Party has boycotted the ongoing local government election in Sokoto state.
According to the chairman, Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission, Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu, 15 political parties participated in the election, excluding the main opposition party in the state, PDP.
He said “we have made adequate arrangements to ensure the election is hitch-free,” he said
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that a large number of electorate, especially women came out to cast their votes.
Some of the electorates, said they have been on the queue as early as 8am, just as others
lamented electoral officers arrived late to the polling units.
Meanwhile, Governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured the incoming chairmen of financial autonomy.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote at Magajin Rafi Primary School, Sokoto South, the governor said, this was part of my promises to the electorates during my campaigns.
“Local government autonomy has come to stay. I have been saying this long before the supreme Court judgment that, my administration would ensure financial autonomy for local government areas.
“Because it has been part of my 9-point Smart and Innovative Agenda since inception,” he said
Governor Aliyu, however, expressed satisfaction with the way the election was conducted and the turnout of voters, saying in every election, there was always a winner and a loser, appealing to the contestants to accept the result of the election wholeheartedly.
However, the leader of APC in the state and Senator, representing Sokoto-North Senatorial district, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko urged the incoming chairmen to work for their people.
“They should fear God in their dealings and work for the betterment of the people who voted them into office,” he said
The chairman of APC, Isa Sadiq Achida expressed confidence that, the ruling party would sweep all the 23 local government areas, just as he described the election as peaceful and orderly.
