The Plateau State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially announced its decision to abstain from the upcoming Local Government Elections re-run scheduled for October 19th. This announcement comes amidst growing concerns over the integrity of the electoral process in the state.
In a statement released in Jos by the party’s spokesman, Shitu Bamayi, and shared with Newsmen on Friday, the APC has directed its supporters to steer clear of the re-run elections. Bamayi articulated the party’s stance, asserting that the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) and the state government have demonstrated a lack of respect for the democratic will of the people. He emphasized that there is no justification for the APC to recognize or legitimize what he termed “illegality” under any circumstances.
Bamayi stated, “It is ridiculous and scandalous that the same PLASIEC, which shockingly described the local government elections as transparent, free, and fair, could come up with re-run elections in some selected electoral wards of the state.” This remark highlights the contradictions in PLASIEC’s position and raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process.
The spokesman further argued that, given the overwhelming evidence of electoral malpractice, it would have been more sensible for the entire election to be annulled. “As a matter of fact, it could have been neater if the entire elections were nullified based on well-established and genuine complaints arising from the conduct of the elections by some political parties other than the PDP,” he explained. This statement underscores the APC’s belief that the electoral process was marred by significant issues, warranting a comprehensive review rather than selective re-runs.
Bamayi expressed concern over the potential risks involved in participating in the re-run elections, describing it as “foolhardy” and a “waste of resources.” He indicated that exposing party supporters to the re-run would likely result in a repeat of the chaos witnessed in the previous elections. He noted, “From all indications, it will be a repeat of what happened last week Wednesday,” reflecting the party’s apprehension about the integrity and security of the upcoming elections.
Additionally, he pointed out instances where candidates from the APC were declared winners by PLASIEC yet were denied their certificates of return, effectively preventing them from being sworn in due to their party affiliation. “Cases abound, where some candidates were declared winners by PLASIEC yet not issued with certificates of return, thereby stopping them from being sworn in, just because they are members of the APC,” Bamayi stated. This situation illustrates the systemic challenges and perceived bias within the electoral commission.
In light of these concerns, the APC has urged its councilorship candidates and supporters in the affected electoral wards to ignore PLASIEC’s directives regarding the re-run elections. This call for non-participation is framed as a stand against what the party views as a flawed electoral process.
While the APC has expressed its discontent with the electoral situation, it also took a moment to commend the citizens of Plateau State, especially its loyal supporters. Bamayi acknowledged the political message sent by the populace to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led government, asserting that the APC has shown a clear political direction in response to the prevailing circumstances.
“The APC is appealing to them to continue to remain calm and peaceful in the face of provocation in the polity,” Bamayi stressed, highlighting the party’s commitment to maintaining order and discouraging any form of violence or unrest during this politically charged period.
The APC’s decision to abstain from the Local Government Elections re-run underscores significant concerns about electoral integrity and democratic principles in Plateau State. The party’s call for its supporters to withdraw from the process reflects a broader sentiment of discontent with the current political landscape and aims to reinforce its stance against perceived injustices in the electoral system.
