The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has achieved a clean sweep in the recent local government elections, winning all 17 local government areas in Plateau State, as announced by the State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) on Thursday.
PLASIEC Chairman, Plangji Cishak, declared the winners and presented them with certificates of return during a brief ceremony at the PLASIEC headquarters in Jos. The newly elected officials were subsequently sworn in.
However, the State Acting Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Shittu Bamaiyi, expressed strong discontent with the electoral process, describing PLASIEC as a “total disappointment and a disaster” regarding the local government elections. He criticized the commission for failing to deliver on promises of transparency, credibility, and fairness, which he claimed were merely a façade for deceit and malpractices orchestrated by the PDP-led government.
Bamaiyi alleged that the electoral process was tainted by several irregularities, including the late start of elections and the intentional distribution of election materials, particularly ballot papers, favoring the PDP. He pointed out that key local government areas like Kanke, Kanam, Wase, Shendam, Langtang-South, Bokkos, Jos-North, Pankshin, and Bassa received only about 20% of the required ballot papers.
“Despite repeated requests for more ballot papers, PLASIEC refused to budge and instead asked the disfranchised voters to wait for materials that never arrived,” he stated. Bamaiyi further alleged that in some areas, elections were not held at all, although sensitive materials were delivered but not utilized due to “instructions from above.”
The APC called on its supporters to remain calm and peaceful, emphasizing their commitment to pursuing legal avenues to address the alleged electoral malpractices and ensure that justice is served.