By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yobe Chapter, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be magnanimous in victory after winning the Saturday’s local government elections in the state.
The state IPAC Chairman, Comrade Umar Adamu Jajere, made the call on Sunday at a news conference in Damaturu.
Our correspondent reports that the APC has won all the 17 local government chairmanship seats in the state as earlier announced by Dr Ibrahim Yabani, Chairman, Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YOSIEC).
According to Jajere, the victorious candidates have received a sacred mandate to serve the people at the grassroots.
He urged the APC, which secured the majority of the chairmanship seats, to demonstrate humility and extend a hand of fellowship to candidates and supporters of other political parties.
“While only one party can win at the polls, the real winner yesterday was the democracy of Yobe State.
“I urge all elected chairmen and councillors to see themselves as servants of the people, regardless of party affiliation,” he said.
Jajere also congratulated the APC, Action People’s Party (APP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) on their victories in various councillorship seats across the state.
He said the spread of councillorship victories among the parties demonstrated the participation of different political platforms in the democratic process.
The IPAC chairman called on the newly elected council officials to focus on issues affecting residents, particularly infrastructure, healthcare and education.
He also appealed to candidates who lost the elections to remain resilient, saying their participation contributed to the democratic process.
Jajere described the elections as “free, fair, credible and successful,” and commended the YOSIEC led by Yabani for what he described as effective management of the exercise.
He also commended political parties, civil society organisations and the media for their roles in ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
The IPAC chairman praised security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Army, for maintaining peace and order during the elections.
He expressed appreciation to Gov. Mai Mala Buni for providing what he described as the necessary support and enabling environment for the conduct of the elections.
Jajere said IPAC remained committed to promoting dialogue, peace and electoral integrity in the state.
He urged the newly elected council officials to work for the overall development of Yobe State and the welfare of the people.