Borno PDP boycott announced as party cites distrust in BOSIEC and high nomination costs ahead of December 13 local elections

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State has declared it will boycott the state’s local government elections scheduled for Saturday, December 13, citing lack of trust in the electoral body and the high cost of expression of interest and nomination forms.

Also read: Borno PDP boycotts LG elections over BOSIEC distrust

The announcement was made in a Friday statement by Amos Adziba, the party’s state Publicity Secretary, following a State Executive Committee meeting in Maiduguri.

The communique, titled “Why we’re boycotting Borno LG polls”, alleged that the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC) failed to provide opposition parties with sufficient assurances regarding the credibility and fairness of the elections.

“The leading opposition People’s Democratic Party in Borno State has disclosed that it won’t participate in the December 13th, 2025 local government elections because of high costs and lack of trust in the electoral body,” the statement read.

Adziba further criticised the electoral body for demanding expensive nomination forms amid prevailing economic hardships and for the state government’s refusal to amend the electoral bill to allow councilor results at the ward level and chairmanship results at local government headquarters.

He warned that the unchanged bill could allow the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate outcomes.

In contrast, the Borno APC had earlier confirmed its readiness to participate.

At a press briefing in October, state party chairman Bello Ayuba stated that the party had formally notified BOSIEC and informed wards and supporters of its participation in the elections.

Also read: Wike reacts to Rivers PDP lawmakers defecting to APC

The PDP’s withdrawal highlights ongoing concerns over electoral credibility and financial barriers in local elections, raising questions about voter representation and the level playing field for opposition parties in Borno State.