The African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria has commended the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Dikko Umar Radda, the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission, and the people of Katsina State for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the Local Government Council (LGC) elections held on February 15, 2025.
An observer team from AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, led by Deputy Director and Head of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Department, Mallam Garba Shehu, visited various wards and polling units to assess the election process. The team observed a high level of orderliness and commended the peaceful disposition of voters, political party agents, security personnel, and other stakeholders.
While the agency is yet to release an official report, preliminary observations indicate that the absence of political interference significantly contributed to the smooth electoral process.
“We have it on good authority that His Excellency, Governor Dikko Umar Radda, is the first governor of the state to oversee LGC elections from one administration to another without interfering with due process, appointing caretaker chairmen, or unlawfully extending the tenure of incumbents. This commitment to democratic principles has played a crucial role in ensuring a peaceful and credible election,” said Mallam Shehu.
AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, through its APRM mandate, remains committed to promoting democracy and good governance in the country. The agency also aligns with the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in safeguarding the constitutional rights of local governments and enhancing democratic processes at all levels.
