….Advise winners to be humble and gracious in victory
By Yahaya Idris
The people of Toto local government area in Nasarawa State have set the pace for the local government elections, which kick off today across the state’s 13 local government areas, by coming out en-masse to exercise their franchise in the ongoing council polls. As voting gets underway, the atmosphere in Toto is filled with excitement and anticipation, with voters hopeful that their participation will bring about positive change and improved governance in their local government.
Our correspondent’s comprehensive report from Umaisha district indicates a successful and violence-free election, marked by an impressive display of civic duty and perseverance, as voters endured the blistering sun to participate in the democratic process, carefully selecting the council officials who will spearhead community development projects and advocate for residents’ welfare over the coming term.
Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, cast his vote at his designated Galadima B polling unit located in Umaisha town, Toto Local Government Area, exercising his civic duty as a citizen and demonstrating his commitment to the democratic process.
Amidst an impressive turnout of citizens eager to have their voices heard, the former Speaker voted around 11:25 am on Saturday, contributing to the collective expression of the people’s will through the ballot box, underscoring the significance of active citizenship in shaping the nation’s destiny.
In his post-voting remarks, Rt. Hon Abdullahi Balarabe, Chairman of the governing council of Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State, lauded the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, for its exemplary performance in the timely distribution of electoral materials and its neutrality in the ongoing election, stressing the need for the commission to maintain this standard and uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness, which are essential for a successful democratic exercise in Nasarawa State.
He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the security agencies for providing a peaceful atmosphere during the polls, describing their service as top-notch and exceptional.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of building upon this success, stressing that future elections should strive to be even better organized and more efficient, ensuring an improved voting experience for all citizens.
During an interactive session with journalists, the former Speaker shared insights into the electoral outcome, pointing out that an individual familiar with Toto LG’s electoral landscape, and aligned with the All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged victorious. According to him, the party’s significant investments and achievements in the area, including infrastructure development and social programs, resonated with voters.
He took the opportunity to extend special appreciation to Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule, whose visionary leadership and commitment to progress enabled the creation of an environment that fostered cooperation, mutual understanding, and productive engagement between the parties involved.
As he praised the Governor for his noteworthy development initiatives in Toto and neighboring areas, he seized the moment to offer sage advice to both the victorious and defeated parties, encouraging the winner to display generosity and sportsmanship, and the loser to acknowledge defeat with equanimity, stressing that such graciousness is fundamental to the healthy functioning of democratic institutions.
In an exclusive interview, the Toto LG political leader shared his upbeat assessment that Ahmed Baba Yahaya, his party’s candidate, and the 12 electoral wards councilors will triumph at the polls by day’s end, pointing to the party’s effective voter mobilization strategies and the broad appeal of their policy platforms.
The Ohimegye Opanda, His Royal Highness Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, Chairman of the Toto Local Government Traditional Council of Chiefs, expressed his heartfelt satisfaction with the serene and orderly manner in which the process was unfolding, confidently stating that the ongoing efforts would ultimately yield an outcome that would be widely accepted and embraced by all stakeholders, fostering unity and cooperation within the LG
Following his vote at the Galadima B polling unit situated within the premises of his Palace in Umaisha town, the esteemed traditional ruler shared his thoughts, stating that he felt an overwhelming sense of joy due to the peaceful conduct of the election. He further expressed his ardent desire for this peaceful atmosphere to be replicated throughout the State, just as it has been exemplified in his own domain.
In a commendation, the paramount ruler of Egbira nation applauded the electoral commission’s efforts in laying the groundwork for free and fair elections, highlighting his own efforts as the people’s custodian to promote awareness and civic responsibility, sensitizing the public on the need for peaceful conduct before, during, and after the elections, and fostering an atmosphere conducive to democratic participation.
Alhaji Umar Idris, Permanent Secretary of Government House Lafia, praised the people of Toto Local Government Area, with special recognition to Umaisha district, for their tireless cooperation, steadfast support, and profound understanding. These exemplary qualities, he emphasized, were crucial in facilitating a peaceful and successful outcome, demonstrating the power of community solidarity and collective effort.
Report says elections are progressing peacefully across the three districts in Toto Local Government, with voters casting their ballots without any incidents of violence or disruption, maintaining a calm atmosphere throughout the area.
