The Saturday’s Local Government election in Niger State has been marred by violence, voter apathy and absence of electoral officials and materials in most rural polling units.

In Nasko, Magama LGA, the building housing sensitive materials of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission NSIEC) housed sensitive materials was set ablaze by irate party supporters due to alleged missing of result sheets.

The sensitive materials had been distributed on Thursday to all the 25 LGA headquarters for onward delivery to wards and polling units for the Saturday’s council poll on November 1, 2025.

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Residents told Daily Trust that when materials for Magama LGA arrived Nasko, the headquarters of the Local Government, results sheets were missing, prompting protest by opposition party supporters.

The protesters subsequently insisted that the materials would not be distributed until results sheets were provided.

The protest, initially peaceful, turned violent when electoral officials reportedly faild to explain the omission of the result sheets.

Reports from Lavun LGA also indicated a violent confrontation between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), leading to destruction of campaign vehicles and injuries to several supporters.

A violent clash was also reported at Legbozuku polling unit, Nuwankota ward, Gbako LGA.

Daily Trust observed that the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) was omitted from the ballot paper. Some presiding officers confirmed that the party’s name was not among the ten political parties listed.

The NNPP leader in Niger State, Danladi Umar Abdulhamid, told Daily Trust that the party would challenge the exclusion in court.

Similarly, the party’s chairmanship candidate of the party in Bida LGA, Abdulmalik Usman Nagenu, expressed dismay over the exclusion, describing it as a deliberate action.

At MB Yunusa 023 polling unit, Nassarawa A ward, Chancahag LGA, voters and party agents complained of low turn out, attributing it to the late arrival of officials and materials.

As at 11:11am, electoral officials at Veterinary polling unit 008 were seen seated, waiting for ballot paper and arrival of security personnel to commence voting. Some voters, after waiting for hours hours, left.

At Orphanage Home polling unit 021, Nassarawa C ward, Daily Trust correspondent reported that voting didn’t start until 11:40am. Persons with disabilities who arrived as early as 7am lamented that many of them were disenfranchised due to the late arrival of materials.

Usman Mohammed Halilu Nagogo, one of the physically challenged voters, said they were disappointed with the conduct of the exercise.

“We are not satisfied with the process, especially we, the philysicallay challenged. We have been at the polling unit since 7am but electoral officials did not arrive until after 11am,” he said.

In Wushishi Local Government, ballot papers reportedly arrived polling units without result sheets, leading to protest by opposition party agents.

Residents also told Daily Trust that electoral materials were not also taken to most polling units in Gbako LGA.

Niger Residents boycott Poll, Hold weekly market

While the election was ongoing, the Mutun Daya weekly market, Shiroro LGA, was filled to its capacity.

Traders and farmers told our correspondent that electoral materials were not brought to their polling units in Shiroro LGA.

Reverend Habila Emmanuel, Pastor of Osana Baptist Church, Mutun-Daya, confirmed to Daily Trust that electoral materials were not brought to polling units.

“We heard of the election but to our surprise, we waited but did not see electoral materials and officials. I even had a meeting to attend today but it was postponed because of the election but unfortunately, we did not see electoral materials and officials to exercise our franchise,” he said.

Also speaking, Mohammed Sabiu, a resident of Gwada, Shiroro LGA, told our correspondent at Mutun-Daya market that he decided to go to market after waiting for several hours for electoral officials and materials.

Efforts to reach the Chairman, Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, Engr Jibril Imam, for comments on the conduct of the election, were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to him as of press time.

Police Confirm Attack on Electoral Officials 

The police in Niger State have confirmed an attack on electoral officials in Magama LGA of the State.

The spokesperson for the state’s Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, told our correspondent that one electoral official was injured and electoral materials set ablaze.

He said some suspects had been arrested and under investigation. He, however, said the building was not razed down by fire.

“During the distribution of sensitive materials in Magama on Friday at about 6.30pm, some miscreants with dangerous weapons attacked SIEC office, injured ad-hoc staff and the sensitive materials were set ablaze.

“The police team on ground prevented the miscreants from setting the building ablaze while some suspects were also arrested. The incident and suspects arrested are under investigation,” he said.

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