Plateau APC Protests Result Of LG Poll, Alleges Compromise

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has rejected the result of last Wednesday’s local government election, saying the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) comprised the process to the advantage of its candidates.

Speaking at a news conference in Jos yesterday, the APC chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature, said despite the assurances of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) that it would conduct a free and fair election, its actions fell far below expectations.

Bature, who was flanked by some APC chairmanship candidates, described the October 9 local government election as the worst in the history of Plateau State.

He expressed concern with the conduct of the poll in all 17 local government areas of the state, describing it as “ill- fated” because it was the day people of the state were denied opportunities to select their leaders and representatives by PLASIEC in concert with the PDP-led government and other anti-democratic forces.

Bature said, “Right from the onslaught, when the Plateau State government decided to send an executive bill on the amendment of the PLASIEC law, the APC and other discerning minds sensed some sinister motives by the PDP-led government in trying to compromise the electoral process when it inserted an omnibus provision which allowed election results to be announced in the Jos, PLASIEC headquarters, as against the polling units, wards and local government headquarters as the case may be.”

He said the opposition party was pursuing all legal means to reclaim its mandate as it was collating data to pursue its case at the tribunal. The party advised its supporters to remain calm and not take the law into their hands.