In a resounding triumph, a staggering total of 56 women have emerged victorious in the wake of the Ekiti local government elections held this past Saturday, as candidates aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured an overwhelming victory by clinching all 38 chairmanship and 177 councillorship seats. The official declaration of results took place at the headquarters of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) in Ado-Ekiti on the subsequent Sunday.
The meticulous orchestration of the election results unveiling saw Returning Officers from various local government areas and local council development areas taking turns to present the outcomes of their respective council areas. At the helm of this commendable electoral exercise was the EKSIEC chairman, retired Justice Cornelius Akintayo, who took a moment to extend his appreciation to the electorate in Ekiti for the exemplary peaceful conduct displayed throughout the electoral process.
In a nod to the spirit of sportsmanship, Chairman Akintayo also commended the political parties that actively participated in the election. This accolade extended to the dedicated EKSIEC staff who worked tirelessly in the field, the security agents who ensured the security and integrity of the process, and the media for their role in disseminating information.
Among the political parties that vied for victory in the election were the Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADP), and of course, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Additional participants included the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the Zenith Labour Party ZLP.
Noteworthy was the conspicuous absence of prominent opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), both of which had declared their disinterest in the council elections.
The outcome of the elections ushered in a new era with the election of seven female Council Chairpersons, complemented by 16 female vice chairpersons. The most remarkable feat was the election of 33 female councillors, underlining a significant stride toward gender inclusivity in the local government leadership landscape.
The palpable success of the APC candidates, coupled with the notable gender diversity in the elected positions, marks a pivotal moment in Ekiti’s political landscape and sets the stage for a promising chapter in local governance.
