The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fiercely denounced the recent local government elections in Plateau State, labeling the process a farce and a source of shame.
In the elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) claimed victory in all 17 local government chairmanship positions, while the APC secured 14 councillor seats. The PDP also garnered 285 seats, with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) winning 1 and 4 seats, respectively.
During a press conference on Saturday, APC State Chairman Hon. Rufus Bature rejected the election outcomes and accused the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) of serious violations of electoral protocols.
Bature also criticized Governor Caleb Mutfwang for hastily swearing in the PDP candidates as chairmen, deeming it an “imposition” on the electorate.
He highlighted several irregularities, including the uneven distribution of essential electoral materials, such as ballot papers, which were reportedly inadequate in areas known to support the APC.
Additionally, he alleged that malfunctioning voting machines were intentionally used to disenfranchise voters, and in some regions, elections were either not held at all or marred by incidents of ballot stuffing.
The APC intends to contest the election results at the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal, pledging to explore all available avenues for redress. Despite the ongoing issues, Bature encouraged APC supporters to maintain their composure and uphold peace.
