Opposition political parties in Enugu State have expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the September 26 local government election, describing the exercise as peaceful, free, fair and credible. The assessment came on Monday as political parties and stakeholders reviewed the voting process and the results announced by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission.
The commendation provides an important perspective on the election because opposition parties were among the participants whose candidates contested the 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship positions across the state. At the same time, some opposition actors raised concerns about specific aspects of the process, showing that the overall assessment was not entirely uniform.
Opposition Parties Assess the Election
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties in Enugu State commended the election and praised the electoral commission, security agencies and other stakeholders involved in the exercise.
The coalition described the election as peaceful, free, fair and credible, arguing that the atmosphere allowed voters to exercise their civic rights without fear or intimidation.
The assessment came after the conclusion of voting and the announcement of results, giving participating parties an opportunity to reflect on the conduct of the exercise.
For the coalition, the peaceful environment represented an important part of the electoral process because local government elections take place at the level closest to communities.
NDC Praises the Process but Raises Concerns
The Nigeria Democratic Congress also commended the conduct of the election in areas monitored by the party.
The party’s Enugu State chairman described the voting process in his polling area as peaceful, transparent and credible, while acknowledging the work of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission.
However, the NDC also reported concerns from some areas.
Party officials alleged that access to election materials had been restricted in some local government areas and said they had received reports concerning the conduct of some electoral officials.
The party indicated that it would rely on its reports from polling units and other locations as it reviewed the wider election.
This distinction is important because a positive assessment of the voting process in one location does not necessarily establish that every polling unit experienced identical conditions.
Election Results Put APC Ahead Across the State
The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission subsequently announced the results of the election.
The commission declared the All Progressives Congress the winner of all 17 chairmanship seats and all 260 councillorship positions contested across the state.
The result gives the APC control of all the elected local government councils following the September 26 exercise.
The commission also issued certificates of return to the declared winners, formally concluding the result-announcement stage of the election.
The outcome has consequently shifted attention from voting-day activities to the performance and responsibilities of the newly elected council officials.
A Different View From ADC
While several opposition voices praised aspects of the election, the African Democratic Congress presented a different assessment.
The party criticised the process and alleged that the election did not provide a sufficiently competitive environment for opposition parties. It also objected to restrictions on movement imposed during the exercise.
The contrasting positions demonstrate that political parties did not reach a completely uniform assessment of every aspect of the election.
Therefore, while the Coalition of Registered Political Parties and the NDC expressed satisfaction with the conduct they observed, other opposition actors raised questions about competition, access and the broader electoral environment.
Peaceful Participation Remains Important
One feature that emerged repeatedly from the assessments was the relatively peaceful atmosphere reported in several areas.
Political parties had signed a peace accord before the election, committing themselves to peaceful participation and urging candidates and supporters to avoid violence.
That commitment became particularly relevant as voting took place across the state.
Peaceful elections are important at the local government level because political disputes can quickly affect relationships within communities. Consequently, maintaining calm before, during and after elections can help prevent political disagreements from developing into wider conflicts.
The Role of ENSIEC
The election also placed renewed attention on the role of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission.
As the body responsible for organising the council election, ENSIEC had to distribute electoral materials, manage polling arrangements, coordinate officials and oversee the collation and announcement of results.
The commission had earlier said it was prepared for the election and had worked with political parties and other stakeholders before election day.
Following the exercise, the commission declared the process free and fair and proceeded with the issuance of certificates of return to successful candidates.
The positive assessments from some opposition parties therefore provide an endorsement of aspects of the commission’s administration, although the concerns raised by other parties indicate areas that may still require attention.
Why Local Government Elections Matter
Local government elections have a direct connection to everyday community administration.
Chairmen and councillors oversee responsibilities that can affect local infrastructure, community services, environmental management and grassroots development.
For that reason, the credibility of council elections matters beyond the political competition between parties.
Voters need confidence that their participation can influence who manages local institutions, while elected officials need legitimacy to carry out their responsibilities.
A peaceful electoral process can therefore provide a stronger foundation for the councils to begin their work.
From Election Day to Governance
With the election now concluded and the results announced, attention will shift toward governance.
The APC candidates declared winners across the 17 local government areas will be expected to take up their responsibilities and translate their electoral mandates into practical administration.
At the same time, opposition parties will have an opportunity to monitor the performance of the new councils and continue participating in the democratic process.
The role of opposition parties does not end with an election. They can continue to scrutinise public policies, raise concerns about governance and engage citizens on issues affecting their communities.
A Mixed but Significant Assessment
The reactions from political parties provide a mixed picture of the Enugu local government election.
On one hand, the Coalition of Registered Political Parties and the NDC commended the peaceful and credible conduct of the process in the areas they assessed. On the other hand, concerns raised by the ADC and some NDC officials point to disagreements over access, competition and the conduct of electoral officials in certain locations.
These differing assessments are part of the democratic process and can provide useful feedback for future elections.
Ultimately, the credibility of an election depends not only on the absence of violence but also on transparency, participation, equal opportunity for contestants and confidence in the electoral administration.
For Enugu State, the September 26 election has now produced a clear set of declared winners. The next test will be how the new local government administrations perform, how opposition parties engage with them and how the electoral authorities respond to lessons from the exercise.
The election has therefore moved Enugu into a new phase: from campaigning and voting to governance, accountability and continued democratic participation at the grassroots.
