Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, was excited over the conduct of council elections without any hitch. According to him, the excitements were over large turnout of electors cast their votes electing 17 chairmen and 178 councilors. Buni disclosed this on Saturday, while addressing the people of Buni/Gari, after they cast their votes at various polling booths. “Today we’re grateful to God that there was a large turnout for the council elections without any intimidation or fear,” he said. He noted that Buni/Gari and Buni/Yadi were affected by insurgency and forced to conduct their elections in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital in November 2017.
He said this is the first happiest moment for the electorate who cast their votes with support of the President that provided security by the military and other security agencies. While lamenting on incessant attacks, he said: “These areas before today’s elections, were occupied by Boko Haram terrorists. “They prevented the people from carrying out any socioeconomic activities in Gujba and Gulani Local Government Areas (LGAs). “Any human being you see in the two councils is an insurgency.” He also noted: “Today the people have converged and cast their votes to elect their leaders at the grassroots. According to him, it will enable the state government to deliver the dividends of democracy and good governance.
While speaking on concluded elections, he said: “The councils, as being witnessed by journalists; you’re the ones to tell the world how the election was conducted. “And it was done peacefully without any hitch in the 17 LGAs.” He said it is not only the conduct of elections, but it has surpassed previous council elections the people had thought. He also noted that since the Boko Haram insurgency in July, 2009, it was not possible to conduct elections until today (Saturday) in Buni/Gari and Buni/Yadi.
