THE CRISES AND LITIGATIONS AHEAD OF PLATEAU LG POLLS—INVESTIGATION

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

Ahead of the forthcoming Local Government Councils’ poll, planned to be conducted by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), headed by, Mr. Ntung, there are strong indications that, the processes leading to the elections are already marred and commencing on shaky grounds. REALITY can authoritatively state.

Apart from the internal crises rocking the various registered political parties in the state, the trust for a free and fair conduct of the elections by the statutory umpire (PLASIEC) is beginning to loosen from the grip of faith from the parties and candidates that are expected to participate.

REALITY gathered that, litigations may also mar the processes leading to the elections, as grievances concerning the umpire have begun to pile.

The findings also indicates that, though the Commission is unperturbed by the alleged grievances making the rounds in the state, especially in political circles, it is yet to give details on how the primaries conducted by the expected participating political parties in the state.

Information reaching REALITY indicates that, most members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, have continued to allege that, primaries were not conducted in over 80% of the state and in the 17 Local Government Areas.

REALITY further gathered that, corrupt administrative attitude are also alleged by the aggrieved members of the ruling party in the state, as monies were alleged to be flying and moving from presumed candidates to officials in high places.

Facts further revealed that, there is palpable crisis in Quannpan and Mikang Local Government Areas of the state, over the non conduct of APC primary to elect candidates of their choice.

Youths under the aegis of Dedicated and Concerned Youths of Mikang Local Government Area, have expressed their concerns and disappointment over the non Conduct of Primaries in the Local Governments, which was slated for 23th June 2021, led by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar.

Leader of the group, Mr. Joseph Bukurson, who stated this in Jos, while briefing Journalist, explained that the party’s supporters were surprised over the recent developments concerning the party’s “ordinary elections for Chairmanship and Councillorship, which were not held in Mikang.

In another development, REALITY gathered that, the APC LGC Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates may have paid close to N700, 000.00 and N500,000.00 respectively, to enable them gain from the processes of nomination. REALITY is still investigating this line of allegation.

Meanwhile, information reaching the news desk of REALITY indicated that, the State leadership of the APC had summoned all the councillorship aspirants that primary election didn’t hold in their Wards to Government House Little Rayfeld and being compelled to signing undertaking that the State Party leadership should pick anyone amongst them to be candidate of their respective Wards.

On the part of the main opposition party, its move to challenge the umpire in Court over the rejection of its candidates’ list is already a weapon in the electioneering processes. The PDP, as earlier reported by REALITY is taking this path to challenge the Commission, after all attempts to put in their candidates’ list had failed.

It would be recall that, REALITY had reported earlier that, the Commission had refused also to witness the primary elections of the PDP ahead of the polls, despite the official invitation extended to it by the Caretaker Committee of the party in Plateau State chapter.

WHAT THE COMMITTEE FOUND AFTER INTERROGATING HON. BITRUS KAZE, OVER THE SAGA AND MANY MORE TO COME!!!