Glitches and complaints trailed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) local government primaries in some council areas of Plateau State....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
The Transitional Implementation Committee Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area is currently fighting for his life after being attacked by thugs shortly after he was declared the winner of the primary….READ FULL ARTICLE
Meanwhile, the National Secretariat of the PDP has cancelled the outcomes of the primaries in Qua’an Pan and Shendam Local Government Areas.
On Wednesday, the party began its primaries for the local government elections in the 17 council areas of the state ahead of the election slated for October 9, 2024.
Reports by the Sunday Tribune revealed that since the primaries commenced on Thursday, there have been numerous complaints about the imposition of candidates by government officials and the marginalization of strong party members considered major stakeholders.
In Qua’an Pan Local Government, the exercise was marred by violence. The winner of the primary, Mr. Christopher Audu Manship, the incumbent Transition Implementation Committee Chairman, was brutally beaten, along with some observers from the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), by disgruntled members of the party.
It was also learned that a similar scenario unfolded in Shendam Local Government, leading to the primary being canceled by the National Working Committee of the party.
One of the party stakeholders, who requested anonymity, stated that the major issue was the perceived marginalization of certain party stakeholders, mainly former House of Representatives members and others who intended to use the local government elections to position their allies ahead of the 2027 general elections. State government officials and the party secretariat, however, wanted to consolidate their control over the councils.
The stakeholders further revealed that all aspirants supported by former House of Representatives members, many of whom lost their seats in last year’s Appeal Court Tribunal rulings, were soundly defeated by government-backed candidates.
Sunday Tribune findings also revealed that key stakeholders in Qua’an Pan, Mikang, Jos East, and Shendam are dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries.
In a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Secretariat of the PDP, through its National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagun and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, notified the commission of the postponement due to conflicting electoral schedules.
However, the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Chris Hassan, praised the congress as the most free and fair ever conducted by the PDP in Plateau State, with the largest participation in recent times.
He told Sunday Tribune that in every contest, there are bound to be people who feel aggrieved, but the party has opened a channel through the Appeal Committee to address any complaints arising from the congress.
“The primaries were free and fair; aspirants contested, and winners emerged without any issues. This is the best congress in recent times, with the highest level of participation. The large number of contestants shows that the PDP remains the dominant party in the state.
“There was no imposition of candidates. While there was consensus in some local governments, which is allowed, no stakeholder has been marginalized. The PDP is intact, and I have not received any information about grievances,” Hassan said.
Regarding the rescheduled primaries for Qua’an Pan and Shendam Local Governments by the National Working Committee of the party, Hon. Hassan declared, “I am not aware of such.”…READ FULL ARTICLE
