Tension As Plateau Holds LG Election Saturday

By Maureen Okpe

There have been reports of fear and uncertainty in some quarters of Plateau State ahead of the local government elections scheduled to hold Saturday.

The apprehension is owing to the recent crises in parts of the state and the volatility of Jos North and Jos South LGAs where local government elections are not often conducted but management committees are appointed to douse tension and agitation.

However, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has expressed its willingness to go ahead with the election, thereby stirring worry in several quarters.

The main opposition party in the state, the PDP, has also been barred from participating in the election by the Plateau State High Court due to what the court said was the inability of the party to hold its congress and elect the party officials within the prescribed time limit.

The APC chairman in the state, Fanmak Enoch, said they are prepared for the LG election as planned.

The PDP chairman, Chris Hassan, said as his party is not participating, he will not say much on the election arrangements and other threats. 

The Plateau State Police Commissioner, Edward Egbuka, yesterday said they have uncovered a plan by some individuals and groups to orchestrate violence that would disrupt the local government elections.

He, therefore, warned such people to have a rethink and drop any such nefarious plans for their interest and the interest of peace in the state.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Simon Lalong, in a statement said PLASIEC has assured all citizens, candidates, and political parties of its preparedness to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in line with the constitution and other relevant guidelines. 

Regarding the aspect of security, the governor said PLASIEC has also engaged security agencies at several levels and obtained assurances of adequate deployment of personnel throughout the 325 wards and 17 LGAs for a hitch-free exercise.