The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YSIEC) has announced June 6 as the date for the conduct of local government council elections across the state. The announcement was made on Wednesday in Damaturu by the Acting Chairman and Permanent Member of the commission, Alhaji Mohammed Nguru, during a press briefing.
Nguru said Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the elections, which will usher in new chairmen, deputy chairmen, and councillors in all 17 local government areas of Yobe State. He disclosed that nomination forms will cost ₦300,000 for chairmanship aspirants, ₦250,000 for vice chairmanship, and ₦200,000 for councillorship positions.
Eligible candidates must be indigenes of the state, meet the age requirements of 25 for councillorship and 30 for chairmanship and vice chairmanship, and satisfy conditions including sound mental health, residency in the local community, security clearance, and possession of at least a school leaving certificate or its equivalent.
The acting chairman assured that YSIEC is fully prepared to conduct free, fair, and credible elections and will issue detailed guidelines to political parties to ensure the emergence of credible candidates for effective grassroots governance.
He also appealed to security agencies to support the process by identifying potential flashpoints, and urged the media to assist in educating the public on peaceful participation while discouraging violence, vote buying, and other practices that could undermine the integrity of the polls.