By Peter Omopo
The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has assured residents that insecurity and banditry will not prevent the successful conduct of the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Chairman of the commission, Jibril Imam, gave the assurance on Thursday during the distribution of sensitive election materials in Minna, the state capital. He said the commission had made comprehensive logistical arrangements — including the deployment of boats and other transport means — to ensure that voting materials reached every community, including those in riverine and high-risk areas.
“Nobody in the local government areas affected by banditry will be disenfranchised,” Imam declared. “We have provided boats and alternative means of transportation to ensure that election materials reach all polling units on time.”
Several parts of Niger State, including Shiroro, Munya, Rafi, and Alawa, have been affected by recurring bandit attacks, with some residents displaced into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
Imam explained that the early distribution of sensitive materials was to forestall possible logistical challenges on election day. He added that non-sensitive materials had already been dispatched to the 25 local government electoral officers across the state.
The NSIEC chairman disclosed that the commission had mobilised 5,249 trained ad hoc staff to serve as returning officers, supervisors, and polling clerks across the 4,950 polling units, 274 wards, and 25 local government areas of the state.
“The materials are being distributed to all the polling units and wards across the 25 local governments, covering both chairmanship and councillorship elections,” he said.
Imam also emphasised that the electoral body was working closely with security agencies to guarantee the safety of personnel, materials, and voters throughout the exercise.
“The commission is fully ready for the election in partnership with the security agencies,” he stated.
He further noted that all constitutional procedures had been followed in preparation for the election, adding that no formal complaints had been received from political parties, security agencies, or observers.
Imam appealed to political actors and party candidates to conduct themselves responsibly and abide by the peace accord they had signed ahead of the polls.
“We are assuring all participants of a level playing field. The commission is committed to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election,” he added.
The November 1 local government election will see voters across Niger State elect chairmen and councillors in 25 local government areas despite security challenges that have plagued parts of the state in recent years.
